Brief samples of upcoming P. Jarvi/Zurich Tonhalle M5 from Presto Classical

[barryguerrero]

Here are brief snippets from the first release, Mahler 5, of the Paavo Jarvi/Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra's new Mahler cycle on the Alpha label. Sounds just like Mahler 5 to me! This will be a download only - at least initially - and will be released in early March. Note this will be Paavo Jarvi's second full Mahler cycle - his first one from Frankfurt being available on DVD/BluRay only. This will be the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra's second Mahler cycle as well - the first being the much underrated David Zinman cycle on RCA.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9748968--mahler-symphony-no-5

[Russ Smiley]

Those clips sound good. Looking forward to a CD.

[barryguerrero]

It does sound good, doesn't it!

[erikwilson7]

I just sampled the start of the second movement. Things sound a bit muddy, don't they? I'm having trouble discerning the textures a bit. Maybe it's all the reverb, or maybe it's how I was listening. I hope I'm wrong.

This is a team whose Mahler I'm quite excited about.

[barryguerrero]

It sounds as though the microphones are farther back than in the Zinman recordings (same concert hall). The sound is less 'bright' and transparent than they are in the Zinman cycle, but things do seem less clearly defined as well. We'll just have to wait and see. That type of sound may be great for M3, M6 and M8. We shall see (or hear, rather).

[erikwilson7]

Very true, Barry. It may serve certain symphonies/movements particularly well. Perhaps not M5 II since there are so many little details going on. But we’ll see!

[John Kim]

They sound fabulous and remind me a lot of a Jarvi/FRSO M5th concert I attended in Seoul, S. Korea years ago!

PS: I think Jarvi's talents and conducting style fit Mahler better than Bruckner.

John

[barryguerrero]

I agree with that, John. I know that Paavo really loves Bruckner, but I don't find his Bruckner recordings to be terribly distinguished in any way. They remind me a bit Riccado Muti's Bruckner - well played, but no real insights.

[John Kim]

Barry

Agreed on Jarvi's Bruckner. But I adore Andris Nelsons Bruckner cycle very much, particularly his Wagnerian style conducting recorded in utterly natural and gorgeous sound.

John

PS I attended a Bruckner 9th concert by Nelsons/Gewandhaus Leipzig in S.Korea two years ago. It was spellbinding and just as outstanding as the recording.

[John Kim]

As for Muti's Bruckner, I urge you to seek and listen to his recent Bruckner 8th with VPO. It will change your mind!^

John

[barryguerrero]

I think having the V.P.O. doing Bruckner 8 will make any conductor sound great. Think of how they played it so idiomatically for Boulez, of all people! I'm sure I'll enjoy it.