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Mahler 8th Symphony

Who conducts your favorite performance of Mahler’s 8th Symphony?
I know it’s hard to get into and over all the counterpoint and screaming in Part I, but
who does that best?   
And how about the divine Part ll?  Who holds it together best?  
Of course SQ plays a big part in Mahler’s symphonies most especially in this one.  
You might want to comment on that as well.

I have an opinion, but I’d like to hear your’s first
 

 

 

 

 

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128x128rvpiano
newbee
4,751 posts
 

You describe the 8th quite well I think. You could have convinced me that  Part I and Part II were composed as separate symphonies:-) FWIW, and I’ll admit that its not much as I haven’t explored it much, if at all, subsequent to my discovering Solti’s performance with the CSO. At least this version seemed to me to hold both Parts I and Part II together. Sonics were fairly good, so I stopped. I think I’d as soon go to hell as to do a comparative analysis of this work.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,439 posts
 

Newbee,

  I’m not planning a comparative analysis of the work.  Just informally based on past listening.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

czarivey
5,701 posts
 

Definitely Bernstein. He's the best Mahler conductor

larryi
3,736 posts
 

I like the ones by Sinopoli, Wit, Inbal and Nagano.

gregm
3,395 posts
 

Excellent choices above notwithstanding, I recommend the following exceptional performances:

- Horenstein / LSO from 1959

It is an exciting performance, intensive, and keeps you focused throughout. Part 2 begins in a measured manner and builds up dramatically. I also like the tempo in Part 1 - it helps create a continuity throughout the piece. Note the mood created by the childrens’ choir...

Reissued in BBC legends, the sound is OK, I’d call it well above average.

- Mitropoulos / Vienna Philharmonic - Choir, etc / LIVE, Salzburg festival (1960)

Long story short, part II is an emotional powerhouse. Not a reviewer, so I cannot wax lyrical about it; you need to listen to it.

The sound is mediocre -- but, that’s all we have, so we have to live with it.

Reissued on Orfeo

Regards

 

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