Post by pgmdir August 8, 2012 (111 of 248)
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I can't compare it to the Honeck, but I CAN compare it to the 15 other M1's I have (I know, I know, excessive). I've only had time to listen all the way through twice and then spot-check a couple of parts. Seeing the two reviews and Chris' remarks this morning I feel that most of what I could add is simply repetition. The SQ is hair-raisingly good. And drum fans will be delighted by the way the drum is captured--- very clear and with superb decay. The absolute clarity of this recording allowed me to hear things in the score I've never heard before. This Titan is unquestionably the absolute best orchestral reording quality I have ever heard--- take your choice between MC and two-channel.
The performance itself is occasionally startling. I've spent the past couple of weeks listening to some of my other M1's, including Gergiev, Jansons, and Zinman on SACD. I also listened to the superior Gielen, Kubelik on Audite, Boulez, Bernstein on Sony, Levine, and even Boult(!). After those reminders, I was doubly anxious to hear the BFO.
I will of course listen more, but my initial reactions are a combination of surprise, dashes of awe, and a sense of total involvement. Please read Castor's and Cherrell's well written reviews. Did I need another M1? I think I needed this one: finally an SACD version that meets and even surpasses my best.
One impression of this performance really stands out initially-- The military fanfare and drum were convincing, far more so than any other version I've ever heard. I was there! What a finale!
Amazing Mahler and beyond amazing recording quality! I will be returning to this one again and again for a while.
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Post by tailspn August 8, 2012 (112 of 248)
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pgmdir said:
I was there! What a finale!
That about sums it up for me.
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Post by dcramer August 8, 2012 (113 of 248)
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How could I possibly resist after that endorsement?
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And just look at the price on Amazon UK. I ordered it weeks ago at £10.99 and now it's just £9.00 post paid (UK). Amazon will honour the new price and Zeus will gain a penny or two. I can't wait - I have his 4th and love it. Just bought Zinman 8th from Amazon for £3.50 used. That's really good two and very well recorded. Producer is ex Decca. I will also buy Fischer's 8th when it comes along.
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Post by channel August 8, 2012 (115 of 248)
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old-dog-newtricks said:
And just look at the price on Amazon UK. I ordered it weeks ago at £10.99 and now it's just £9.00 post paid (UK). Amazon will honour the new price and Zeus will gain a penny or two. I can't wait - I have his 4th and love it. Just bought Zinman 8th from Amazon for £3.50 used. That's really good two and very well recorded. Producer is ex Decca. I will also buy Fischer's 8th when it comes along.
Who said anything about recording Mahler 8th.... Not in my lifetime! Mahler 5
is next month. The 9th is over a year.
Thanks to all for the great response to our 1st. Getting these wonderful reviews means a good deal to us.
Jared
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Post by Iain August 8, 2012 (116 of 248)
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pgmdir said:
...........
The performance itself is occasionally startling. I've spent the past couple of weeks listening to some of my other M1's, including Gergiev, Jansons, and Zinman on SACD. I also listened to the superior Gielen, Kubelik on Audite, Boulez, Bernstein on Sony, Levine, and even Boult(!). After those reminders, I was doubly anxious to hear the BFO.
I will of course listen more, but my initial reactions are a combination of surprise, dashes of awe, and a sense of total involvement. Please read Castor's and Cherrell's well written reviews. Did I need another M1? I think I needed this one: finally an SACD version that meets and even surpasses my best.
One impression of this performance really stands out initially-- The military fanfare and drum were convincing, far more so than any other version I've ever heard. I was there! What a finale!
Amazing Mahler and beyond amazing recording quality! I will be returning to this one again and again for a while.
Please humour me here. : )
Getting ready to order CC "St Matthews Passion" from Amazon. Might consider adding this as the price seems right.
You lot really like this one it seems, but I know nothing of Mahler. I had one or two Mahler symphonies on LP several years ago and was quite ambivalent of them. IIRC, they were loud and bombastic and became annoying after awhile. Should I expect the same from this?
IOW, what if I order it and don't like it?
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Post by SteelyTom August 8, 2012 (117 of 248)
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We cannot promise the utter absence of loudness and bombast. But it's a good intro to the Mahler canon.
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SteelyTom said:
We cannot promise the utter absence of loudness and bombast. But it's a good intro to the Mahler canon.
I am not so sure. If you know Mahler, you will see the commonalities. OTOH, it is very far from typical or representative. There is loudness and bombast and sadness and parody and a heroic conclusion. There is very little angst, pain, desperation or acceptance.
It was my introduction to Mahler but I didn't really love his music until I went on to others.
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Post by tailspn August 8, 2012 (119 of 248)
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Iain said:
Should I expect the same from this?
There's a very interesting video from Ivan on the Channel Classics Mahler 1 ordering page that may give you a bit of insight.
Jared tells a funny story about filming it. He himself had worked for hours making a five minute video for the T.H.E Newport Beach HIFI show, and agonized over the experience. He took his gear to Ivan's home library, where Ivan was working on what looked like several projects simultaneously, and procrastinated over starting the take. Too absorbed in other matters. Finally after Jared patiently insisting, Ivan relented, turned from his piano, and proceeded to explain Mahler off the cuff, in one take.
It's very revealing of the man. Both men.
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Post by seth August 8, 2012 (120 of 248)
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