There is a fantastic recording of Bruckner's second symphony on Testament by Giulini and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, highly recommended. Well I like it anyway.

As some pretty old recordings (Furtwangler) are being mentioned in this thread does anybody have any opinions about any of the Toscanini recordings? For what it's worth I think the 1977 Karajan is as good a choice of any for the first Beethoven ninth in a collection. But of course one is...

I have listened to the 1893 version of Mahler 1 on Hungaraton, and it's interesting, nice brightish, clear recording. The differences between this version and the one we all know and love are pretty unimportant though. I think it's only really for those of who are sad enough to want to own...

Quote: Originally Posted by Mark from HFR I heard it, and it's quite well done. I would just rather hear the full-color orchestral version! Mark Thanks for the info, I will just have to try to decide whether it counts as Mahler or Walter. If it's Mahler I will have to get it...

I know this is a strange question but has anybody heard the SACD of Bruno Walter's two piano arrangement of Mahler's 1st symphony? I was wondering if it was worth getting?

Quote: Originally Posted by Bunnyears he consulted with Sigmund Freud? Oh to have been a fly on the wall in the good doctor's office during those sessions! Freud was on holiday so the consulatation took place as a walk around Leyden in Holland. Mahler cancelled his enagements to...

Quote: Originally Posted by PSmith08 Very well put. Mahler's sexuality is a non-issue when discussing his music. If one is doing a biography of him, it is another story. In my readings on Mahler, his sex life isn't touched at all, and rightfully so. I would say, except for a very few...

Quote: Originally Posted by Bunnyears For some reason, I just don't think that Mahler fits in with Grieg or Sibelius, and his music in my mind shares more with Shostakovich in it's biting sarcasm and ironies. Well, of course, Sibelius and Mahler did meet and disagreed...

As an example of how wrong-headed one composer can be about the work of another one Ralph Vaughan-Williams did not consider Mahler to be the culmination of the Romantic period, nor the bridge between the Romantic and twentieth century. For Vaughan Williams Mahler was simple "a tolerable...

Quote: Originally Posted by iancraig10 Does anyone know of a good recording of 'Gurrelieder' by Schoenberg? I played it when I was a student (as an oboist) but have never heard a good recording of it. (Since the 70's) Another one I am after is 'The Dream of Gerontius' by Elgar - any good...

Quote: Originally Posted by scottder Going to have to be some other daring soul for now. But we all know how hard it is to get people to buy new recordings here! Scott I've ordered it I will explain to my wife that this is the original version so I don't have it already. I...

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartley Shawcros Try the Bernstein version on DG. Or maybe the Barshai version on Brilliant Classics as it is cheaper.

Quote: Originally Posted by E.B.M.Head I'm loving it. The soundquality isn't so good, like you said, there seems to be some tape noise in the background. But the music is absolutely fantastic. So much energy, emotional tragic and dynamics. I think wouldn't like a more lifeless version...

Quote: Originally Posted by E.B.M.Head The 5th seems a bit short (11min 44 sec), so maybe it is not complete? Sounds like your fifth is just the adagietto, the most famous single Mahler movement. The Fifth has five movements and lasts about 70 minutes.

I've just listened to the Barbirolli Halle version and I'm now listening to the Barbirolli New York Phil version, and my opinion has changed. (Remarkable how the reality of a performance isn't always what we remembered isn't it?) The New York version is much better. The Halle version lacks...

Quote: Originally Posted by Mark from HFR Hi, Hartley. I'll have to look for the Barbirolli, I'd like to hear it. Is there much interpretive difference between the NYP and Halle performances? Is the Rattle worth tracking down? As for others worth investigating, I recommend the...

1. Brahms 2. Elgar 3. Beethoven 4. Sibelius 5. Vaughan Williams 6. Tchaikovsky 7. Dvorak 8. Bruckner 9. Mahler Although if the question was my favourite symphonies the answer would be 1-9 Mahler

Hello all, another Mahler freak here. Has anyone heard Barbirolli's Mahler One? There are two versions that I know of. One is with the Halle Orchestra on Dutton, and the other is in the very expensive NYPO box set. The NYPO version has a better orchestra, but the Halle has a better recording...

First post so hi everybody.