Robert Lyman wrote:

>BTW, any oppinions on the late recording of the complete Mahler
>Symphonies, by Bernstein on DG? BMG has the set at a budget price.

As you may know, Bernstein made these recordings "live"(or rather
"semi-live"as I am sure some overhauling was done in later sessions).
I was fortunate enough to be present at his Amsterdam (Concertgebouw)
sessions where he recorded nrs.  1,4 and 9 (plus the "Wunderhorn Lieder").
These were very memorable occassions indeed.  In another thread Bernstein
was discussed as "idiosyncratic", "interventionist", "self-indulgent" and
"unbearable".  However, I found his approach very rewarding and revelating.
Here's a summary of what I know of these recordings.  nr. 1 Splendid
playing by the Concertgebouw, nobody manages to make the trio in the second
movement sound so schmalzy als Lenny did.  Plenty of firework in the first
movement with a surprising accelerando which really takes your breath away
towards the end.  The third movement is a real adventure.  nr. 2 and nr.
3 I don't know these CD nr. 4 To me the highlight.  At the first
rehearsal, Lenny made the Orchestra play a tone scale in all imaginable
tempi, dynamics and phrasing, just to get used to each other.  And they
followed him just perfect.  There was a wonderfull sense that the music
was being invented and played for the very first time.  The CD really
captures this atmosphere.  There is especially some very beautiful playing
of the woods in the second movement.  The third movement has a surprisingly
swift tempo, but what a great storyteller Lenny is here.  The last movement
is like-it-or-not sung by a boy soprano (Helmut Wittek of the "Wiener
Sangerknaben - one wonders what became of him).  He brings it off quite
well, but I wouldn't want to be without Haitink's third Amsterdam account
for this.  nr. 5 Not really my favourite symphony, so I'll leave a
judgement to others.  nr. 6 Perhaps the most difficult of the set.  There
is a lot of firework, but the final (which is here more than ever the
crucial movement) is a bit disappointing.  He never really manages to shape
it as a whole.  My favourite would be again Haitink, the recent Boulez or
Tennstedt for whose Mahler I really have a soft spot.  nr. 7 One especially
dear to Lenny, which he recorded here with the NYP.  Not bad, but I would
certainly prefer his older SONY recording.  nr. 8 I don't know this
recording with the VPO.  nr. 9 Again with the Concertgebouw.  Again the
concert a great occasion, but the CD left me slightly disappointed.  The
second and third movement surely pose the biggest problem.  I would
certainly go for another, like Karajan's very fine account which might also
be available at mid-price with a superb coupling of the Kindertotenlieder
with Christa Ludwig.

In short, if you like Lenny, you will not be disappointed.  Moreover,
recording sound is OK throughout.  Crucial in these recordings.is the
degree in which he managed to win over the orchestra (which I think was
always crucial with Bernstein).  If that works out and you are open to hear
a big occasion, you should be allright.  If you are easily spoiled by an
interpretation then turn away.  You will then never want to hear Giulini,
Inbal or Dohnany again.  There are plenty of good alternatives in the
market, so I would never go for the complete set by one conductor without
looking at a few alternatives.  It will cost you a few cents more, but
then: why should one insist on buying them all at once?

"Jos Janssen" <[log in to unmask]>