Mahler 8th Symphony

Newbee,

It took me many years to get into the 7th. It was a vast wasteland to me. Finally, an Abbado recording did the trick. Now whenever I hear it I think it’s the best.
The finale of the 8th in the Solti recording emotionally blows me away and is a lease breaker as well.
The 1st movement of the 9th may be some of the most profound music ever written.

i’ll give the Bernstein recording of the 9th another listen.

It’s the one Mahler Symphony that I play infrequently.  Solti/Chicago for the thrills.  This work doesn’t respond to subtlety 

@mahler123 

 Which one??

Newbee,

There was a time when it was impossible for me listen to the 9th without tears coming to my eyes. The wistful longing of the 1st movement  was unbearable. Unfortunately I’m not able to reach that level of emotion these days. It is however still shakingly beautiful to me.
The Bernstein recording definitely rises to that level. His approach is a little over the top to me. I’m used to a more stoic presentation.
Believe it or not my first encounter with it was from a Russian conductor: Kirill Kondrashin. It changed my life. Since then I’ve gone through a myriad of performances including a live one by Solti in Carnegie Hall.
The Bernstein is right up there with the best.

Some interesting thoughts on Mahler’s 8th from this gentleman. I agree with his top pick. Recommended.

Antoni Wit cond. Warsaw Philharmonic on NAXOS.