What Classical Music Are You Listening To?

[Peter Friedman]

[Referentzhunter]

18 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Years ago, I was an active member of the Mahler Forum.  There have always been quite a few Mahler fans who are NOT fans of Lenny's way with Mahler.  They felt that his interpretations were exaggerated to the point of excess . . . going far past the what Mahler put down in the scores.   These critics also feel like Bernstein focused on moments to the detriment of the longer-line, the architecture.  Personally, I can understand these criticisms, and I think they're valid as such. 

So you're far from alone, @Referentzhunter.

All that said, I still enjoy Bernstein's Mahler.  Very much.  In fact, my gateway into the world of Mahler was Bernstein's recording of Mahler's Ninth with the Concertgebouw Orchestra (DG).  This is one of Bernstein's MOST exaggerated Mahler performances.  People tend to HATE it or LOVE it.  Obviously, I fall into the latter camp.  But I have no difficulty understanding why some listeners would find it distorted or distasteful.  

By way of contrast: Many, many people swear by Otto Klemperer's Mahler recordings.  I've never been able to find anything in them. To me, they seem earthbound and cold.  But this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of classical music.  You've got to discover which conductors/interpreters take YOU on a chariot ride to heaven -- because we all respond differently.

Agree on everything you said, ... no problem at all. 

Recently discovered his Symphony Fantastique with a French Orchestra which i liked. I think this symphony should be executed in an exaggerated way. 

... but ... Mahler, ... not for me.

Edited December 29, 2023 by Referentzhunter

[mjzee]

Reinhard Goebel Complete Archiv box, disc 11.

[HutchFan]

Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Bruno Walter, Columbia SO

This one is special. 

 

[soulpope]

2 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Bruno Walter, Columbia SO

This one is special. 

Indeed ....

[soulpope]

Alicia de Larrocha plays Albeniz "live" in 1980 .... unsurprisingly wonderful ....

[Referentzhunter]

7 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Bruno Walter, Columbia SO

This one is special. 

 

I believe that without any hesitation ...

Totally coincidental. Thrift store find of today (5 euro).

Heard the fourth and the eight before and thought they were very good. Originally released and recorded by Denon/Nippon.

NP Symphonies Nos. 1&2

Edited December 30, 2023 by Referentzhunter

[Peter Friedman]

[Chuck Nessa]

[soulpope]

5 hours ago, Chuck Nessa said:

As good as it gets ....

[soulpope]

Recorded 3 decades ago these performances really stood the test of time .....

[soulpope]

Masters at work .....

[Referentzhunter]

Symphonies Nos. 4&5

[Peter Friedman]

[HutchFan]

Now listening to Kubelik's studio rendition of Mahler's Third Symphony:

I've said it before but I'll say it again: IMO, no other conductor divines the inner architecture of this massive, sprawling symphony better than Kubelik.  Not even Horenstein. 

 

On 12/30/2023 at 5:38 AM, Referentzhunter said:

Totally coincidental. Thrift store find of today (5 euro).

Heard the fourth and the eight before and thought they were very good. Originally released and recorded by Denon/Nippon.

Nice find.

 

[soulpope]

17 minutes ago, HutchFan said:

Now listening to Kubelik's studio rendition of Mahler's Third Symphony:

I've said it before but I'll say it again: IMO, no other conductor divines the inner architecture of this massive, sprawling symphony better than Kubelik.  Not even Horenstein. 

It's a close call ....

[HutchFan]

4 minutes ago, soulpope said:

It's a close call ....

Definitely.  They're both wonderful, classic recordings.

For grandeur, I'd go with Horenstein.  But for surefootedness, I'd go with Kubelik. 

. . . Of course, we're spoiled to have so many options from which to choose.  😉

[Peter Friedman]

[soulpope]

51 minutes ago, HutchFan said:

Definitely.  They're both wonderful, classic recordings.

For grandeur, I'd go with Horenstein.  But for surefootedness, I'd go with Kubelik. 

. . . Of course, we're spoiled to have so many options from which to choose.  😉

Yep .... I love Rafael Kubelik and have a slight preference for his Mahler "live" recordings on Audite .... speaking of close calls 😎 ....

[mjzee]

[Peter Friedman]

[HutchFan]

Eugen Jochum - The Complete EMI Recordings

Disc 5:  Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" - with the London SO & Chorus, Kiri Te Kanawa, Julia Hamari, Stuart Burrows, and Robert Holl

 

[Peter Friedman]

[HutchFan]

More from this set:

Disc 4:  Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8 - with the London SO

Happy New Year to everyone. 

 

[Chuck Nessa]