[icebear]

There is a entire Thread on Mahler which I went through completely and then posted my my "purchase summary"

.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/37858/mahler-symphonies-favorite-recordings/3690#post_11059227

 

[sh4dowd4ncer]

  I thought I had heard everything Tchaikovsky did, but I missed that one. Gonna have to order it as soon as I log out of here.
In the meantime in the interest of getting a complete Mahler symphony collection started, what would everyone suggest. Get a boxed set by someone (who?) or go on a symphony by symphony basis. I guess it comes down to, is there a real good boxed set out there that would do justice to all 10 of the symphonys? If individual recordings are the way to go, anybody care to post suggestions for 1 thru 10? From what I have been reading it looks like Solti and Bernstein do a pretty good job with Mahler, I have always liked Bernstein so will probably lean that way for the most part.

Of course, one can never go wrong with Mahler and Bernie.
As an alternative, I would say this cycle here has his place in the hall of fame as well:

 
Mahler is the kind of composer that a complete cycle with one conductor won`t bring what you are looking for. Therefore, there are mixed cycles that one should listen. A good start is:

 

[extrabigmehdi]

   
Mahler is the kind of composer that a complete cycle with one conductor won`t bring what you are looking for.

Interesting. I  was wondering why there was so much forum thread/articles  for mahler, that decides which version are best for each symphony.

 

[sh4dowd4ncer]

  Interesting. I  was wondering why there was so much forum thread/articles  for mahler, that decides which version are best for each symphony.

Of course one could argue that such A or B conductor had (or has) the perfect Mahler reading. I would say, that "my perfect" cycle has 10 different conductors.

 

[Claritas]

  Of course one could argue that such A or B conductor had (or has) the perfect Mahler reading. I would say, that "my perfect" cycle has 10 different conductors.

 
My "perfect set" has three Mahler 2ds (Kubelik, Stokowski, Tennstedt) and two 6ths (later Bernstein, Szell for sentimental value) and no Mahler 4ths, 8ths, or so-called 10ths. 

 

[RRod]

   
My "perfect set" has three Mahler 2ds (Kubelik, Stokowski, Tennstedt) and two 6ths (later Bernstein, Szell for sentimental value) and no Mahler 4ths, 8ths, or so-called 10ths. 

 
The Adagio of the 10th is a fine piece of music and complete enough. What exactly is wrong with the 4th? (I agree on the 8th; just never worked for me.)

 

[SunTanScanMan]

One of my absolute favourites from the living stereo box set. I really love the folk tinged music - added to that, once you hit play, the sound of the orchestra hits you like a freight train. 

 

[sh4dowd4ncer]

Bit hard to pick one from the Living Stereo Box. I would say 90% of the contents are top stuff.
 
For the discussion here, I would like to point two that have a special feeling:
 

 

[RRod]

 
One of my absolute favourites from the living stereo box set. I really love the folk tinged music - added to that, once you hit play, the sound of the orchestra hits you like a freight train. 

 
Poor Smetana, why did he get the small-print treatment? Vltava is just as good a piece as the other 2 :-/

 

[sh4dowd4ncer]

   
Poor Smetana, why did he get the small-print treatment? Vltava is just as good a piece as the other 2 :-/

If in a fantasy world someone would ask me what would be a nice 61th CD for this box, I would say:
 
A full version of Má vlast
 

 

[SunTanScanMan]

   
Poor Smetana, why did he get the small-print treatment? Vltava is just as good a piece as the other 2 :-/

I totally agree. Not sure what's behind that. The CD I have also has excerpts from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde and Tannhäuser. 
 

  Bit hard to pick one from the Living Stereo Box. I would say 90% of the contents are top stuff.
 
For the discussion here, I would like to point two that have a special feeling:
 
<...>

Ha yes indeed, lots to choose from. I also enjoy reading the notes in the box set whilst going through the collection. 
 
--------
 
Finished moving house after much stress and delay. Finally today I get to relax with music. Some new additions arrived in the post just in time:
 

 

[ctemkin]

  Bit hard to pick one from the Living Stereo Box. I would say 90% of the contents are top stuff.
 
For the discussion here, I would like to point two that have a special feeling:
 

 
 
Analogue Productions just released an SACD of this (but without the Song of the Nightingale). 

 

[Wildcatsare1]

 

Just listened to my digital transfer from the LP, thanks for reminding me, wonderful recording! 

 

[SunTanScanMan]

Looks like vol.3 is coming - due out in March. More details here
Quick glance of the contents shows music which were recently discussed/mentioned in this thread - Italian symphony, Scheherazade, Vltava, From the New World , and last but not least, everybody's favourite 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik'

 
I wish the vol.1 box wasn't so expensive. This 3rd volume appeals to me more than the 2nd one.
 
 

 

[bigshot]

A lot of wonderful stuff on that box. I'll order it day one.