Mahler - what are your favorites?

[tima]

Updated opening post

Ardent suggestions for a 1st? Perhaps one of these? Perhaps another?



Levine, Chailly, Solti, Zander, Zinman, Haitink ???

[tima]

Few people here listen to Mahler and even fewer do so playing records. May what authority is lacked from our numbers be made up for by the sweetness of our rills.

Here is a fine box set from Deutsche Grammophon - DG 2720 033
1971 Limited Edition 14 LP Box Set + booklet

Rafael Kubelík and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

“When I conceive a large musical structure, I always come to the point where I must bring in the word as carrier of my musical idea…”

Soloists:
Martina Arroyo, Edith Mathis, Elsie Morison, Erna Spoorenberg (soprano)
Norma Proctor, Julia Hamari, Marjorie Thomas (alto)
Donald Grobe (tenor)
Franz Cras (bass)

Choirs:
Munchen Motet Chor
Tölzer Knabenchor
Norddeutscher Rundfunk Chor
WDR Rundfunkchor
Regensburger Domspatzen



Mahler cycles on vinyl aren't exactly falling out of trees, so availability is a strong suit for this collection. It is (relatively) not that hard to find, often in pristine or unplayed condition. I'd say around $45-$55USD is reasonable for a minty box set. Don't be surprised if the box itself has not held up as well. Each symphony was released individually and the splendid covers I've seen from those are the only thing missing.

I wasn't playing Mahler in 1971, but I'll speculate had the high-end equipment of today been around then, more people would be still playing Mahler records today. It's fun to have a robust system to deliver robust music.

In those days, the hotness in Mahleria came from Solti's performances on Decca. Yet this Kubelik cycle - to my ears anyway - wears well over time. He offers a thoughtful reading with quiet authority though perhaps without the volcanic drama one may associate to (expect from?) the music. Soloists may not be the very topmost tier, but overall I am happy to have this set and enjoy playing records from it.

There is a more recently released Kubelik cycle, some members of which are live recordings - and yes on vinyl - from Audite (here and here also), several of these can still be had at retail at much greater expense. Also released on SACD/CD/FLAC.

edit: update .jpg link

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by tima

Few people here listen to Mahler and even fewer do so playing records. May what authority is lacked from our numbers be made up for by the sweetness of our rills.

Here is a fine box set from Deutsche Grammophon - DG 2720 033
1971 Limited Edition 14 LP Box Set + booklet

Rafael Kubelík and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

“When I conceive a large musical structure, I always come to the point where I must bring in the word as carrier of my musical idea…”

Soloists:
Martina Arroyo, Edith Mathis, Elsie Morison, Erna Spoorenberg (soprano)
Norma Proctor, Julia Hamari, Marjorie Thomas (alto)
Donald Grobe (tenor)
Franz Cras (bass)

Choirs:
Munchen Motet Chor
Tölzer Knabenchor
Norddeutscher Rundfunk Chor
WDR Rundfunkchor
Regensburger Domspatzen

Mahler cycles on vinyl aren't exactly falling out of trees, so availability is a strong suit for this collection. It is (relatively) not that hard to find, often in pristine or unplayed condition. I'd say around $45-$55USD is reasonable for a minty box set. Don't be surprised if the box itself has not held up as well. Each symphony was released individually and the splendid covers I've seen from those are the only thing missing.

I wasn't playing Mahler in 1971, but I'll speculate had the high-end equipment of today been around then, more people would be still playing Mahler records today. It's fun to have a robust system to deliver robust music.

In those days, the hotness in Mahleria came from Solti's performances on Decca. Yet this Kubelik cycle - to my ears anyway - wears well over time. He offers a thoughtful reading with quiet authority though perhaps without the volcanic drama one may associate to (expect from?) the music. Soloists may not be the very topmost tier, but overall I am happy to have this set and enjoy playing records from it.

There is a more recently released Kubelik cycle, some members of which are live recordings - and yes on vinyl - from Audite (here and here also), several of these can still be had at retail at much greater expense. Also released on SACD/CD/FLAC.

I just won an eBay auction for this, but in a different box, issued as 2720 063-10. Cost me $45 includinng shipping, from Canada. It should arrive next week. I do not have a single Mahler in my collection before this one.

[Toccata]

wrong thread...

[tima]

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

I just won an eBay auction for this, but in a different box, issued as 2720 063-10. Cost me $45 includinng shipping, from Canada. It should arrive next week. I do not have a single Mahler in my collection before this one.

It has a smaller picture of the composer toward the top of the box? Not 100% certain, I believe its release was 1974, with the same performances. Congratulations, I hope you get a good one and enjoy it !

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by tima

It has a smaller picture of the composer toward the top of the box? Not 100% certain, I believe its release was 1974, with the same performances. Congratulations, I hope you get a good one and enjoy it !

Yes, that is the one (from eBay). The box is not great, but the records are supposed to be all mint.

[LordoftheRingsEE]

--.--Excellent thread!

[Josquin des Prez]

I want to get Mahler's 2nd on analog vinyl, and not digitaly recorded.

Recommendations to look for?

[tima]

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

I want to get Mahler's 2nd on analog vinyl, and not digitaly recorded.

Recommendations to look for?

As with all things Mahler each of these will yield a range of opinions. From my perspective each is one of the great 2nds. I don't have enough experience to give suggestions on pressings. Invariably the Resurrection Symphony is a 2 LP release.

==> Note to lurkers who don't do vinyl - all performances mentioned are available on CD, etc.

Mahler's 2nd was a signature piece for Otto Klemperer. His 1963 recording from EMI/Angel made in Kingsway Hall London with the Philharmonia Orchestra features Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Hilde Rossl-Majdan and continues since that day as a thriller. My copy is from Pathe Marconi (French EMI). 2C181-00570/1

"This is an essential recording for any collection: the greatest interpretation of Mahler's Second ever placed before the public, made under ideal studio conditions ...." Review.




The Klemperer is more frequently found with a cover similar to this below. The branding across the top may be Columbia or Angel - 2 albums. I've seen the packaging with two separate covers or as one. COLUMBIA SAX 2473 2474, ANGEL 3634. There is also an EMI UK release as a box with a picture of Klemperer smoking a cigar on the cover. ASD 2691-92 or SLS-806.




Then there is Bruno Walter on Columbia with the New York Philharmonic. I find this an extraordinarily power-filled/gripping/compelling performance and it could be my regular favorite but for the typically crackly vinyl that seems more the rule than the exception for Columbia classical issuances. (Their jazz always seemed to fair better - don't know why.) For optimal sound it really should be played using the Columbia playback curve. M2S 601 (stereo) M2L 256 (mono 6 eye). Truly an unforgettable performance from a man who knew GM personally.



Up next is Sir George Solti with the London Symphony featuring Heather Harper and Helen Watts - likewise recorded in Kingsway Hall in 1966. This is still available as a re-issue. I see it at Music Direct. Probably the best chance for a clean new record. Another strong performance.
DECCA SXL 6113



Lastly is Leonard Bernstein. I don't have this on LP, but have it on CD (Sony) as a part of a box set. But it is out there on LP and I know it is a performance worth hearing. The Bernstein Mahler cycle mentioned somewhere above is definitely one to consider owning. The Columbia performance with the New York Philharmonic is the one to have, yet again here its Columbia vinyl so caveat auditor. An intense, personal performance - one of the greats. M2L-295 (mono) M2S 695 (stereo)

I don't know where this cover is release-wise, but it's colorful, almost Dali-esque.

[Josquin des Prez]

Tim, thanks a lot for the detailed post and recommendations. I'll look for one of these, starting with the Pathe Marconi EMI set.