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Review by pip440 July 19, 2005 (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
| I held back from buying this until recentlty partly because of some negative criticisms in the music press and on this website; but I am glad I took the plunge because this is a superb performance - idiomatic and extremely moving. It may not be the same as Klemperer, Solti, Mehta, Abbado etc but it seems equally valid, and may well be closest to what Mahler himself desired. And the recording is stunning beyond belief. Beautiful silky strings, rich well defined bass (gorgeous cellos and basses) - and the timpani and tam-tam!! (5.0 but turns on the subwoofer at climaxes). Wonderfully airy and everything solidly in place. I didn't know DG could do as well as this in the Musikverein. Why can't they give the same sonics to the New Year's day concert (see my review)?
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Review by Sublyme Mastering December 17, 2006 (5 of 6 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
Overall, I found this partiicular performance and recording to be excellent! I must admit I really only purchased it on whim facing a long road trip and not having my regular Mahler 2 in my car. I found it to be probably the best sounding DG release in a LONG time. The performance is also quite nice as well. For the majority of the piece, I felt that this was clearly a good example of PCM-to-DSD conversion. However, towards the end of the Finale, I was quite surprised to hear a significant amount of distortion. In fact, the distortion is quite alarming - unfortunately, however, it is often masked by either the brass or the organ and only rears its ugly head on the most ruthlessly revealing systems.
That being said, this disc will never get played in my system again. As enjoyable as it is to listen to, I can not bear the thought of damaging my speakers over a recording. Sorry DG - next time check the meters! Crossing DSD-0 (similar to PCM 0 dBfs) is a no-no. Sure you *CAN* do it, but expect clipping and distortion! 3 Stars - 5 for overall sound - 1 for extreme clipping - averaged out = 3.
:-(
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Review by fluffn0se January 4, 2005 (2 of 4 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
Mahler's 2nd Symphony
I've only ever heard this symphony on the earlier Bernstein CD cycle (and the radio once or twice), which I like a lot. This interpretation seems to be almost at the same quality/level. It does seem a little less overwhelming, which I like--sometimes Mahler can be a bit much for me. However, the classic Mahler qualities still shine through and I wouldn't say it was under-complex, or Mahler-lite. The singing is overall nice, but not perfect. Sometimes the orchestra is RIGHT ON, all in a group conciousness. At other times, however, it seems like sections of the orchestra are pushing the conductor. This results in different sections of the orchestra going in different directions (clashing egos?), but it isn't really noticiable in a casual listen. In the long run, there is much more to compliment than complain about. Kaplan and the Wiener PO really have their act together, with the excellent musicianship you would expect from such a great orchestra.
Soundwise, I was impressed. This is my first Mahler in surround. I had pretty high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. Multi-channel works EXCELLENTLY with the epicness, grandness, and precision of Mahler. Dynamics were good. I do have a few quibbles, however. The sound is not quite as open sounding as I think SACD can handle. I also think that the surround mix could have been a little better, for a piece so well-suited. I look forward to seeing what the other mult-channel Mahlers are like!
Overall, this is a beautiful recording, with good musicianship, but not always with the sublime direction a piece like this needs. I'm pleased with the purchase. It definitely isn't a definitive recording--none are.
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