Huh? Wha? My many Mahler recordings are actually pretty well balanced, tone-wise. Maybe it's my forgiving system or my admittedly ancient LPs, but from the Solti London recordings to the Bruno Walter Odyssey recordings to the Horensteins to my three copies of the Vanguard Wunderhorn recording, they're all just fine.
Why do all Mahler recordings seem too bright?
Yes - I may be exaggerating but I haven’t yet found any recordings of his symphonies that properly balance the extra treble energy that are often part of the dynamic swings. Part of the problem may be that I’m not sure I yet actually “like” Mahler’s music though there are moments that are exquisite. But, I can’t get through a whole piece because the recordings hurt my ears.
As a side note - I have been on both sides of a microphone - having been a musician in the past and also having recorded/mixed a number of orchestral concerts at a performing arts center. Pre-pandemic I would go to orchestral concerts regularly. So - I do have at least some reference.
I have some recordings (they were given to me) that are positively unlistenable (a DG recording of his 5th may be singularly the worst recording I’ve heard).
I thought the hi res versions of San Francisco by MTT might be the ticket. While better, they still seem too bright and harsh to me.
Perhaps it’s my system that’s too bright, or perhaps something else is going on but I’ve plenty of other classical music that sounds better. We’ll recorded jazz and acoustic, too.
Of course I can find poor recordings in any genre, but I’d welcome recommendations from my fellow forumites of some Mahler recordings that I might try. I’d love to be able to listen to the closing moments of the 2nd at reasonable volume - without cringing.
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I don't necessarily regard them as "better." I just recommended them in the hope that they might seem "better" for you. |
Mahler included funeral marches in his symphonies and also use a large number of brass instruments. So I am not surprised some poorly done recording sounding "bright." However, there are many Mahler recordings CDs and LPs that sounds well balanced from top to bottom without any edginess or harshness.Some of the DGG recordings can sound bright, but not limited to just Mahler's work.
Symphony #4 Klemperer and Philharmonia Orchestra (EMI), Symphony #5 by Solti and CSO (London, Super Analog), Symphony #6Horenstein and Stockholm Philharmonic Orchetra LPs are highly recommended. They sound well balanced in my system with Thiel 3.6 speakers, Mark Levinson 23.5 amp, Cary slp 03 preamp, and Audio Research PH5 phono amp. Cary and AR has NOS tubes. Another gem is Mahler's 1st symphony with newly discovered "Blumine" movement recorded by Frank Brieff and New Haven Symphony Orchestra (Columbia Odyssey). I am in Colorado and have attended Colorado Mahlerfest few times. So I have a very good idea how these works sounds live. |
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