[adhoc]

i feel a little sad that my fav version of the mahler 2nd (rattle) was panned in that 44 printed pages ARG article.. but that only gives me a good excuse to go out and get the mehta one.

 

[adhoc]

this post is addressed to darkangel regarding mahler's 2nd.

darkangel, i gather from the thread that you've listened to both klemperer/emi, litton/delos and mehta/decca legends.

i already have the rattle/emi which i absolutely love. a confirmed DID for me.

BUT i would like to get another reading of the 2nd, one which is obviously different from rattle/emi. which of the 3 i listed would you recommend?

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally posted by qwerty870 On the subject of the tenth. Which completed version do you like most? I have the EMI/Rattle (Cooke), a Naxos/Olson (Wheeler), and a Faberman (Carpenter) completed versions. I keep changing my mind, but i think i like Wheeler's the best (plus it was on Naxos and only $7, but the EMI/rattle/cooke is a better performance and recording)

I really think the old Rattle/EMI is about best version you can get, I like it better than his new DG version. There are more recorded 10ths now than before so maybe new reference will emerge, the Rattle/EMI may be hard to find......I had to purchase mine used at Amazon.


Quote:

this post is addressed to darkangel regarding mahler's 2nd. darkangel, i gather from the thread that you've listened to both klemperer/emi, litton/delos and mehta/decca legends. i already have the rattle/emi which i absolutely love. a confirmed DID for me. BUT i would like to get another reading of the 2nd, one which is obviously different from rattle/emi. which of the 3 i listed would you recommend?

Those are three excellent recordings of Mahler 2, all at mid price on 1 CD, any of them would be a winner. But if I would choose only one it would be Litton/Delos.

The Delos sound quality is best I have heard for Mahler 2, and Litton gives us an energetic reading with overwhelming powerful
& glorious final apocalypse that will amaze.........the Klemperer is a more noble less energetic reading and Mehta splits the difference between the two.

 

[AndreYew]

adhoc,

For Mahler 2, you really ought to hear Bernstein/NYPO on Sony Classical. Sound quality's not the greatest, but the performance is emotionally overwhelming. Litton, Klemperer, and to a lesser extent, Rattle are what people call Apollonian performances, whereas the Bernstein is completely in the Dionysian camp --- he lets everything hang out.

--Andre

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally posted by AndreYew adhoc, For Mahler 2, you really ought to hear Bernstein/NYPO on Sony Classical. Sound quality's not the greatest, but the performance is emotionally overwhelming. Litton, Klemperer, and to a lesser extent, Rattle are what people call Apollonian performances, whereas the Bernstein is completely in the Dionysian camp --- he lets everything hang out. --Andre

Ok for the novice, could you describe what you mean by "Apollonian" and "Dionysian" in this context?

 

[AndreYew]

Apollonian is more held back, more intellectual, less emotionally excessive. Dionysian is wilder, more heart-on-sleeve, etc. Neither is better than the other, as it's a matter of taste and the music being played.

A couple of other good Apollonian performances are Blomstedt with SFSO on London (now OOP), and Seiji Ozawa with the Saito Kinen orchestra on Sony. The Ozawa is also available on two-channel SACD.

--Andre

 

[scottder]

Thanks,

And my Klempler CD finally arrived from Amazon today, can't wait to give it a spin!

Scott

 

[adhoc]

AndreYew and DarkAngel, thanks for your recommendations.

DarkAngel, is this the litton/delos you speak of?



i might just pick it up later cos i remember seeing it in my fav specialist store.

 

[DarkAngel]

Yes that is it Litton/Delos CD...........there is also SACD version of same performance (not sure if that is hybrid)

Andre
I will have to give the Bernstein/Sony Mahler 2 another listen, I forget how I would rank it overall. I got complete set last summer
and gave them all a quick listen back then.

 

[adhoc]

darkangel yeah i know abt the confusion over sacd/not sacd for that recording.

the delos site defines sacd (incorrectly) as always being hybrid (ie 2 layers).

the amazon.com site lists the sacd version as being NON-hybrid

the amazon.co.jp site lists the sacd version as beign hybrid.

have dispatched an email off to delos abt the confusion.


but then again, doesnt the redbook layer of a hybrid usually suffer in terms of quality? a general impression i got arnd here.

 

[danaa]

Quote:

i feel a little sad that my fav version of the mahler 2nd (rattle) was panned in that 44 printed pages ARG article.. but that only gives me a good excuse to go out and get the mehta one.

Their review only points out how subjective music is. What touches you emotionally is what matters. I've still not found the "greatest" Beethoven's symphony no. 9.

The Penguin guide, for instance, says about Rattle's version: "Simon Rattle's reading of Mahler's second is among the very finest records he has yet made, superlative in the breadth and vividness of its sound...The playing is CBSO is inspired."

All we can do is try to pick out the best version for our tastes. I'm not the biggest fan of the two disc Mahler's ninth with Bernstein conducting. It just tugs too hard for me personally. Others love it and it is highly received among critics. Are they wrong? No. Am I? No. Just like headphones or home speakers, each of us is going to have the one that best speaks our language.

 

[adhoc]

danaa,

actually to be honest i use theses guides as, well, only guides at best. i prefer feedback from multiple listeners and well, IF i can audition, my own ears.

it is common knowledge that to the penguin guide's reviewers, simon rattle can do no wrong.

but on the other hand, i've also noticed a rather pronounced pro-bernstein slant in the ARG. not to mention a blanket dismissal of english/european conductors there too.

 

[danaa]

We're definitely of one mind. I really rely on friends to listen to their recordings, get their advice, and try my best to sift through the reviews. Still, I really do enjoy reading the critics, as well as comments made by listeners at boards like this and Audioasylum, and those made at places like Amazon. I can't claim they don't influence me, because they do. Just like Mahler's No. 2 with Rattle. I'm really dying to hear that again after reading all the posts lauding it.

 

[scottder]

Only had a brief chance to listen to Klempler/EMI and I like what I hear so far.

Scott

 

[adhoc]

the delos service rep just got back to me (WICKED FAST!

)

yes, the delos mahler 2nd sacd IS hybrid.