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
 

 

 

 

 

128x128rvpiano

Showing 9 responses by rvpiano

Newbee,

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

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I admire many of the above choices, for me the performance that gets to the heart of the symphony is the Solti from 1971, mentioned above.
Part ll is especially moving and holds together magnificently. Some performances tend to wander aimlessly.

I know Solti’s Mahler is looked down upon by some connoisseurs, but he does it for me.

@newbee

“You could have convinced me that Part I and Part II were composed as separate symphonies”

Perhaps having that in mind, Mahler directed that in performance, there be a five minute break between the two Parts.

larryi,

I have CDs of the Sinopoli and Inbal (and many others) you mention above, but haven’t listened to them in years.

I believe Mahler really comes into his own in Symphonies 7-9. Of course the early “Wunderhorn” symphonies are magnificent as well, but there is a definite maturity in the last three (I’m not mentioning the unfinished 10th or “Das Lied…” (but they certainly apply) because they’re not complete symphonies. One could make an argument for each of the last three as being the “best.”
I prefer them over the first six, wonderful as they may be. As I’m listening to the 8th right now it’s the best for me , but that changes with each different one. The variety in Part ll of the 8th staggers the imagination.
‘ All his symphonies are so different. You have to marvel at the creativity of the master.

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.

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.

I’m going to attempt to start a thread entitled “My favorite classical records”.    
  I don’t know if there’s much of an audience for it, but the response to this thread is encouraging.