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Review by Dr. O November 24, 2005 (7 of 12 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
Another resounding Yes! and Wow! to this most recent entry from MTT and the SFS.
This is a monumental work; in five movements, it is NOT easy to pull off. But MTT and his orchestra do just that, and with great finese and conviction.
The engineering is spectacular. Every single color is captured. I was at one of the concerts while this composition was being recorded, and I remember being delighted by all of the delicious and unexpected sounds that Mahler incorporated into his score. While listening to the recording, I am taken back to that night when the magic happened at Davies Hall.
MTT is, as usual, quite deft with his tempi, and he has a way of bringing out the special "soul" which is so characteristic of Mahler the man and composer.
A total triumph! Add it to your collection!
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Review by sacd_fan_2007 July 13, 2008 (4 of 6 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
[Review applies to the 2-channel SACD layer]
This is a very good Mahler 7 from SFO, but like many major recordings of the work I've heard, the orchestra seems to lose focus at times and just play through this cryptic work. MTT's earlier interpretation on rbcd with the London Symphony Orchestra is still far superior to this rendition and all others I've listened to. Although, I must say MTT did find some new and creative tempos here that were not present in his earlier recording. The trumpet section playing here (with acting principal Bill Williams Jr) is stronger than in earlier releases of the SFO Mahler cycle too.
Our SACD selection of Mahler 7 is limited, and I wish I had just saved my money and stuck with the earlier MTT/LSO on rbcd. Overall, the sound is nice, but I was frustrated by the distant and muddy recording of Mahler's cow bells and chimes. Having attended a few SFO Mahler Symphony performances in Davies Hall, I know this is not how they really sounded.
Pass on this recording and get the classic MTT/LSO rbcd Mahler 7.
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