A Mahler Ninth Worth Hearing

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:57 am

Larry Rinkel rarely recommends CDs but while dining at the exclusive and exquisite Yin Cheng on the Upper West Side last night he urged me to get the BBC Legends release of Mahler's Ninth conducted by Bruno Maderna. I did so with alacrity.

This is a live recording from 1971 and Maderna's direction of the BBC Symphony Orchestra is superb. There are some coughs and applause but, overall, this is a remarkably energetic and insightful performance of one of my most revered symphonies.

I don't think I've heard any recordings by Maderna before.

Try it!

BBCL 4179-2.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:10 pm

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Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 1:57 pm

jbuck919 wrote:http://www.menupages.com/restaurantDeta ... antId=1865

*****

I've taken a number of CMGers to Yin Cheng.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:29 pm

I listened to it last night. It's a wonderful performance. I'd been reading great things about Maderna for years, but this is the first time I've heard anything by him. I don't think it will be the last.

pizza · Post by **pizza** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:44 pm

I've heard many recordings of the 9th and have heard it live several times; but of all the Mahler symphonies, it's the only one of which I have never heard a completely satisfying performance. Maybe the Maderna will do it.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:57 pm

pizza wrote:I've heard many recordings of the 9th and have heard it live several times; but of all the Mahler symphonies, it's the only one of which I have never heard a completely satisfying performance. Maybe the Maderna will do it.

P - same here. the work is just so demanding, so concentrated. there's no letup, no slush...
Giulini/CSO comes very close, it is a really wonderful performance...but even there, I like Solti's finale a little better

. and Walter does some great things too

...Abbado/BPO live was sure a great performance...

I'm wondering about the Boulez/CSO version that came out a few years back....anybody heard it??

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:05 pm

I remain, as some here know, an avowed fan of Bruno Walter's live Mahler Ninth with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra just before the Anschluss. But Moderna's reading is a worthy addition to my library.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:24 pm

Heck148 wrote: I'm wondering about the Boulez/CSO version that came out a few years back....anybody heard it??

Yes, I have it and I would place it among the best Ninths I've heard. The normal high standard of playing with Boulez is there, along with attention to detail and color. The strings have a noticably darker and warmer quality than I'm used to hearing from the CSO on records (or in person for that matter). It is not a depressing reading nor a savage one, and his pacing of the Finale reminds me of Walter with the Columbia Symphony.

John

RebLem · Post by **RebLem** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:46 pm

Heck148 wrote:
pizza wrote:I've heard many recordings of the 9th and have heard it live several times; but of all the Mahler symphonies, it's the only one of which I have never heard a completely satisfying performance. Maybe the Maderna will do it.
P - same here. the work is just so demanding, so concentrated. there's no letup, no slush...
Giulini/CSO comes very close, it is a really wonderful performance...but even there, I like Solti's finale a little better . and Walter does some great things too ...Abbado/BPO live was sure a great performance...

I'm wondering about the Boulez/CSO version that came out a few years back....anybody heard it??

Its very good, but if you want a CSO recording, frankly, the Giulini is better.

gfweis · Post by **gfweis** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:45 am

I look forward to hearing someday both the Maderna and the Giuilini. My current favorite Mahler 9ths, in order: Klemperer, Ancerl, Barbirolli, Bernstein II, and Bernstein I (with Abbado almost cracking the top five).

rogch · Post by **rogch** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:21 pm

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is truly amazing. It seems like they can adapt to any composer or conductor and make it sound like they have played in that particular style for decades. And it is not only the London-based orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has also won critical acclaim. The BBC music magazine always is always sold with a CD attached to it. In their next edition it will be Bruckner's seventh played by The BBC symphony orchestra of Wales. Could be interesting.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:31 pm

I know I'm in the minority in not liking the Giulini/CSO recording, but it just doesn't do anything for me. It strikes me more as an exhibition in orchestral precission and power than a great Mahler performance. Something about it leaves me cold. It's like it's too perfect, but lacking in humanity. And that's certainly rare for a Giulini recording. He's normally one of my favorite conductors, and I happen to love his CSO recording of Mahler's first symphony.
I won't be spending any money on the Boulez. I've never liked any Mahler I've heard by him, either on record or in person. It's too much clarity and not enough emotion.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:16 pm

I'll make a point of hearing the Maderna recording as he is known, at least to me, as a composer and not a conductor. Mahler seems to have been an important composer for him as well.

John

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A Mahler Ninth Worth Hearing

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