Review by Dan Popp January 4, 2006 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
|
Sonics: |
You may have to check with your wife before playing this disc. And a warning to the neighbors might be in order for some of you as well - this is a very dynamic recording.
Sonics are excellent, as the previous reviewer wrote. I would rate it just slightly below the Mahler 2nd by Kaplan/Vienna and the Mahler 3rd and 9th by Chailly/Concertgebouw in my collection. It sounds significantly better than the Zander/Philharmonia Mahler 6th from this same series. That SACD sounds more like a RBCD to me, noticeably "restricted." The only slight quibbles regarding this effort would be a touch of boominess in the low end compared to the "ne plus ultra" recordings, and that the strings and brass seem to get a bit "boxy" at maximum levels. These are no doubt accurate representations of the hall, which is otherwise lush and reverberant. It really has a rich, detailed sound in stereo.
Speaking of the Mahler 6 recording in this series, this disc, too, comes with a companion "pre-concert lecture" CD which I find fascinating. And the beautiful thing is that, if you don't want it, you can use it as a coaster and just enjoy the music.
As to the performance, I'm not really qualified to judge, though it sounds flawless and crisp to my untrained ears. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer's comments about the baritone. He seems to use about the same amount of vibrato as most singers, and the "Wayfarer's Songs" are a pleasant bonus.
|
Was this review helpful to you?
yes |
no
|
|