The definitive Mahler 7th

[Steinway]

I have just listened to the DVD of the Mahler Seventh Symphony, performed by the Lucerne Festival Orchestra from 2005.

This is finest combination of ensemble playing, superb principals and conducting I've ever heard. The leader, Claudio Abbado, has a feel for Mahler that is unequalled and he remains as the greatest living conductor of them all.

A magnificent and stirring performance and the best DVD I own.

If you have one DVD to purchase, this has got to be it.

[Seán]

I have that DVD and I love it. It is well worth having. Abbado smiles throughout the performance, he is a man who really enjoys conducting Mahler.

[Chalkperson]

Me too, I have four of his Mahler DVD's, great stuff...

[Heck148]

I have just listened to the DVD of the Mahler Seventh Symphony, performed by the Lucerne Festival Orchestra from 2005.

Abbado's Mah7 with the CSO/DG is the best Ive ever heard, really stunning.

[absinthe]

I wish that recording was more universally appreciated. I've had mine for sale for months and no one wants it.

At least they no longer call it "The Mad" Symphony.

[maestrob]

cliftwood:

Abbado's Mahler, in any form, epitomizes for me what is a great performance. Frankly, Abbado's feel for the music surpasses Bernstein who, although great at what he did, never quite got the right feeling in II, and although well-paced, seemed methodical in VII in both his New York recordings (Columbia & DGG).

I attended on of the New York concerts given when Bernstein was recording VII for DGG and was deeply disappointed: everything was vastly underrehearsed & sloppy: it was obvious that Bernstein was using the concerts as preparation for the recording sessions, & I felt abused.

That said, VII is a monster piece that takes an enormous amount of preparation, I'm sure.

[pizza]

"Definitive" is a word that decides and settles a matter with finality. There can be no definitive Mahler 7 any more than there can be a definitive Beethoven 9 or Shostakovich 4, or any other great musical work. One of the greatest attributes of major works is that they support differing interpretations, and most well conceived and executed performances by musicians sympathetic to the particular idiom are as valid as any other.

Naturally one can have favorites, or even a single favorite performance, but I think that to claim that no other performance can ever be equally revealing of the composer's musical thoughts, intentions and objectives is a denial of the very idea of art.

[TopoGigio]

Then Bernstein

[Heck148]

I wish that recording was more universally appreciated. I've had mine for sale for months and no one wants it.

Abbado/CSO Mahler 7?? why are you selling it??

[Heck148]

...There can be no definitive Mahler 7 any more than there can be a definitive Beethoven 9 or Shostakovich 4, or any other great musical work. One of the greatest attributes of major works is that they support differing interpretations, and most well conceived and executed performances by musicians sympathetic to the particular idiom are as valid as any other.

yup, well said. definitive is a term I don't use regarding performances or recordings...

[Barry]

Abbado is probably also my favorite active conductor at this point. And I agree he's one of the all-time great Mahler conductors. He led a 9th with the BPO in NYC around '99 or '00 that still ranks up among my greatest concert experiences.

[hangos]

I have just listened to the DVD of the Mahler Seventh Symphony, performed by the Lucerne Festival Orchestra from 2005.

Abbado's Mah7 with the CSO/DG is the best Ive ever heard, really stunning.

Agreed - I think it is a perfect constellation of superlative interpretation, playing and recording ; I bought the Boulez last year and much as I like it, Abbado does even more!
The 7th is my favourite Mahler symphony (if only it weren't for the last movement!!!!!! - all that delicacy, then ..... shock horror (however ironically meant) bombast)

[Kuhlau]

While I appreciate that the thread title wasn't a request for suggestions as to what one feels is the 'definitive' recording of this fine symphony, I'd nonetheless like to weigh in with a few thoughts.

I've heard performances by Abbado, Barenboim, Chailly, Gergiev, Halasz and Bernstein. Truth be told, I'd be hard-pressed to pick a 'winner' from the readings of these six men (although I'm fairly certain it wouldn't be Barenboim's - that man should've stuck to the piano instead of taking to the podium, in my view).

The most recent (I believe) CD release by Abbado on DG was a joy; and Chailly's Decca recording delighted me no less. I'll have to hear the Bernstein again before passing judgement, but it satisfied to a degree. Conversely, the very recent LSO Live release with Gergiev left me cold, despite the critics going into raptures over it.

Which just leaves Halasz. Now, I'm not about to argue that his 1995 Naxos outing can give the likes of Abbado and Chailly a serious run for their money. But I will say that despite not being in the first league, it's a highly credible effort that deserves a wider hearing.

So, the 'definitive' recording is ... ? I'm afraid that, ultimately, I'm with pizza on this: there can be no such thing. Which isn't me sitting on the fence - just me taking a balanced view.

FK

[Sylph]

While I appreciate that the thread title wasn't a request for suggestions as to what one feels is the 'definitive' recording of this fine symphony, I'd nonetheless like to weigh in with a few thoughts.

Why do you appreciate it?

[Kuhlau]

While I appreciate that the thread title wasn't a request for suggestions as to what one feels is the 'definitive' recording of this fine symphony, I'd nonetheless like to weigh in with a few thoughts.

Why do you appreciate it?

One of the meanings of 'appreciate' is 'to be fully aware of'. It was this meaning that I intended.

FK

[Bro]

Klemperer. He keeps the thing moving and avoids the post-Bernstein, purple prose, hot house effect.


Bye

[Barry]

Klemperer. He keeps the thing moving and avoids the post-Bernstein, purple prose, hot house effect.


Bye

He keeps the thing moving? It's over 100 minutes long. It's also my favorite Mahler 7th though. It tends not to be one of my favorite Mahler symphonies when it's performed in a more standard manner.

[pizza]

The Klemperer should be heard on its original EMI analog pressing, not the Angel import or the CD. The differences are absolutely amazing. It's too bad EMI never issued it on SACD or whatever format they presently use to showcase their products.

[AntonioA]

I have two copies of the original EMI Klemperer 7th. Just in case. Both found in flea markets in great condition. Klemperer made me appreciate this symphony more than Solti, Bernstein, Abbado or Rosbaud
(i tried them all).

[Seán]

I cannot find any copies of Klemperer's M7, the world and his wife seems to have them but not I.

[Barry]

I cannot find any copies of Klemperer's M7, the world and his wife seems to have them but not I.

I've had the same problem with the EMI Klemperer Bruckner 8th on CD, unless one wants to spend insane amounts for a rare used one.