From: langs@puhep1.princeton.edu (David Langs)
Newsgroups: rec.music.classical
Subject: Re: Mahler novice
Keywords: mahler
Date: 15 Dec 92 15:13:33 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Princeton University
Originator: news@nimaster

In article <1gi1bhINN8en@corax.udac.uu.se> mgn@csd.uu.se (Magnus Nordin) writes:
>I'm curious about Mahler and have decided to start listening to his
>symphonies. My question is: which symphonies to buy and which
>conductor(s)?
>
>Should I buy a complete cycle or some "basic" subset of the
>symphonies?  
>
>In the cycle case: Which cycle? I've read good things about the
>Kubelik cycle on DG. This box packs all the symphonies into only 10
>CDs (I think Karajan's is 15 CDs) which is an economical plus. 
>
>The subset case: Which symphonies to begin with? Is there a typical or
>"a must" set? Which recordings? Simon Rattle (no complete cycle yet, I
>believe) has done very well with what he's recorded so far according
>to the press I've seen. 
>
>All recommendations gratefully welcomed.
>
>Magnus Nordin (mgn@csd.uu.se)
>Dept. of Computing Science
>Uppsala University

     An ideal place to start would be Bruno Walter's recordings of the
first two symphonies with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra available on
an inexpensive 2 CD set from CBS.  The 1st symphony is probably the most
accessable for someone new to Mahler and Walter's recording is by far my
favorite.  (Yes, I have heard Solti's recordings.)  His recording of the
second is great as well, although not my absolute favorite.

     The Fourth symphony is a good one to get next for two reasons.
Firstly, it is one if his most lyrical and relaxed, and loved by almost
everyone.  Secondly, there are three exceptional recordings all
available at a very low price:  George Szell and the Cleveland
Orchestra, Lorin Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic, and Otto Klemperer
and the Philharmonia.  Any of these are highly recommended.

     After that, you will probably have decided weather or not you want
to complete your Mahler cycle.  CDs to look for include:  Abbado's
recording of the Third, Bernstein's Fifth, Abbado's 6 and 7, Solti's 8,
and probably Bruno Walter's 9.  And don't forget to buy a recording of
Mahler's greatest work, Das Lied von der Erde.  For that, either of
Walter's two recordings are recommdended.  His earlier recording is
probably a bit better because of the singing of Kathleen Ferrier, but if
you want a stereo recording his later recording is also first-rate.

     If you insist on a boxed set, Solti is probably the best bet
because it is cheap and fairly good.  Some of the recordings in the set
such as 5, 7, and 8 are outstanding, while others such as 1 and 6 I find
disappointing.  (I have not listened to the others in the set yet, but I
plan to soon.)  If you have a bit more money to spend, some people
really like the Bernstein box, but I don't care for all of his
interpretations.  What I would consider ideal would be a boxed set of
all of Abbado's Mahler recordings!  As far as I know such a thing
doesn't exist yet, but when it does (and I am sure it will) it will be
the one to get.  I have never been disappointed with any Abbado
recording of a Mahler symphony I've heard.

     I'm bound to get hundreds of responses telling my why each and
every one of my decisions are wrong.  I suggest you ignore them :-).

     I'm going on vacation tomorrow, so if you ask me questions I
probably won't see them.



-- 
                           Dave Langs, Dept. of Physics
                           Princeton University
                           langs@puhep1.Princeton.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.music.classical