M. Stenz/Gurzencih M3 on the way.

[John Kim]

I listened to the Stenz M3rd.

Unlike his M4th, this is a rather straightforward performance.

I like 2nd, 3rd, and Finale movts. very much, but like Barry did I have mild reservations about the 1st and 4th movts.

In the opening movt. Stenz's interpretation is unaffected and did not hold much of my breath.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very fine reading. It's just that we're spoiled with too many good ones including Lenny, Levine, Ozawa and the latest Honeck.

Partly, this is due to the engineering which puts the orchestra in steely, hard sounding acoustics without much warmth and ambiance.

(But there is plenty of dynamic range!)

But the 2nd movt is terrific as are the Scherzo and the Finale. Not only the playing is of the highest order, here Stenz's focus on articulating many rhythmic and dynamic contrasts pays off very nicely.

I got Stenz's M5th too so it's next in my review.

John,

[sperlsco]

As good as the Bernstein/NYPO/DG M3 recording is, I like the Alan Gilbert performance even better. It has much of the same visceral impact and power of the Bernstein, but without being nearly so expansive with the tempi.

Gosh, I am not nearly as big on the Gilbert M3.  I think i fell in love with the sound of the NYPO brass as found on Maazel's digital/download  cycle with them -- which is not to be confused with loving Maazel's choice of tempi.  In turn, I was completely underwhelmed by the power of the same NYPO in Gilbert's M3. 

If you want impact and power without the expansive tempi, try the Bernstein/Sony NYPO M3 or the Inbal/Frankfurt one. 

[barry guerrero]

Maybe it's a difference in dowloads (?). All I can tell you is that the CD's that I have - taken from the best quality download from the NYPO's website - has plenty of impact and power for my taste. After all, we're talking about the same brass and percussion players - they're going to play just as loud for Alan Gilbert as they are for Bernstein or anybody else. Then again, I'm well aware that Maazel is known for liking his Mahler REALLY loud (and slow).

[ChrisH]

Actually the brass section of the Phil is quite different from Bernstein to Gilbert and Maazel. Only one trumpet player remains, Phil Smith. One trombonist, Joe Alessi, and on tuba we have Alan Baer instead of Warren Deck. Phil Meyer is still lead horn, though he has switched instruments which has greatly changed the sound of the section; for the better I might add. Maazel and Gilbert's section are pretty much the same. I believe the only change in the brass section with Gilbert has been a new 2nd trombone.

I think the brass playing in the Gilbert 3 to be basically as good as it gets; it really wins for me in the scherzo. Matt Muckey, the associate principle trumpet, gives us what I think is best playing on record in this movement as takes over for Phil Smith who's playing the posthorn. As an ex-orchestral trumpet wanna be, this stuff is important!  I would love to hear the Maazel recording though; the brass work in his 2nd with NY is simply amazing.

I can only imagine that the playing on both recordings is excellent. They are possibly the best brass section on the planet.

[barry guerrero]

"Phil Meyer is still lead horn, though he has switched instruments which has greatly changed the sound of the section; for the better I might add."

Phil Meyer brought in a Schmitt 'triple' horn, and some of the other members have since copied him. I read Phil's blog about making the transition, which was pretty interesting to a fellow brass player. I think one or two still play Conn 8H's. The Czech Phil. has switched over (most of the time) to Schmitt 'triples' as well, and they sound fabulous on their recent Mahler recordings. The horn solo that opens the 2nd movement (1st Nachtmusik) on the Inbal recording sounds incredible.

Yes, the NYPO has an amazing brass section, but it's unfortunate that they have to play in Avory Fischer so often.

[Leo K]

I listened to the Stenz M3 last night. I love the sound quality, excellant mastering, great low end. There's some details in this performance that will bring me back for another listen. I like the tone of the solo trombone in the first movement. I also love the quicker speed of the marches in said movement. Tam-tam is wonderful in the third movement, so is the posthorn (flugalhorn perhaps?) solo. I love the quicker finale too. It ties up Stenz's straightforward but beautifully executed M3.

--Todd

[Leo K]

The more I ponder Stenz's M3 the more I like it. The first movement offers something I haven't heard a lot in this work, the faster pace in the marches is real exciting to me. The fast finale really appeals to me too.

--Todd