I love love the contrast from the end of the 1st part to the start of the 2nd. "Now it really begins" vibes. Also, Mahler wrote this entire thing in 2 months. That is absolutely wild
Now you have basically ascended to expert level. Listening to the same piece in different recordings is a whole other rabbit hole. You'll turn into a collector in no time and clump up your Apple or Spotify library with recordings. ;)
Thanks for listening and reacting to this version. I think Bernstein was responsible for popularizing Mahler, especially working in Vienna...he brings his special energy to it (I like how he was mouthing the words all the way through). This version also has much better singers than the previous one; the sopranos here were not the least bit screamy (I saw you smiling at some of those high notes!) and the boys choir here was outstanding too. You asked about the assistant conductor in the balcony: he's there in case the brass choir up there can't see what Bernstein is doing...nowadays they could have the conductor on a screen anywhere, but no tablets back then. FYI...the organist has his back to Bernstein the whole time, but he's looking at him via a mirror over the organ. You definitely should hear this live...it's overwhelming.
@@jonaspfister682: Yes, the greatest gathering of Mahler 8 soloists. Hermann Prey is especially memorable. This performance is full of deep emotions. 😎🎹
Regarding the assistent conductor: there is a separate brass ensemble (called "Fernorchester") on the opposite end of the hall right under the ceiling. They don't have a good view of Bernstein, so the assistent conductor is needed to synchronize them with the main orchestra, because if they would just be guided by the sound, they would be to late - considering the immense distance between them and the stage.
I can't say I'm personally a fan of Mahler, but I do think that it's essential to hear Bernstein recordings of all the Mahler symphonies at some point. Bernstein was the conductor who brought Mahler into the standard repertoire, which makes him the single most influential Mahler conductor.
Wonderful! Notice that Mahler this orchestra, whose chief he was for many years, had in mind when he wrote this music. Fascinating, too, how Bernstein pitches and edges the words in the first choir of the 2nd movement (he spoke German fluently).
Chailly's and Bernstein's performances of this symphony are excellent, indeed. (I'm a Bernstein fan myself.) For your third reaction, I suggest Gustavo Dudamel's performance filmed in Caracas, Venezuela. In that video, you'll see and hear the full representation of the forces called upon for this work, performers that truly number 1000+. The choir is huuuuge!
I was just abou to make the same recommendation. These are young performers playing this work and it's stunning. It also made me cry because the ending is beautiful.
I've listened to so many versions of this masterpiece over and over again and I find for my taste that I rate Ozawa and the Boston my favorite though they are all excellent. The brilliance of this piece is that it can survive mulltiple interpretations (although for my taste, I find Chailly's tempi work against the marvellous crescendos especially in the final choruses).
great to see you are enjoying Mahler! And its true what you said about the importance of coming back to a piece. For me the Mahler symphonies get more beautiful everytime I listen to them
Thank you for this, Gidi ❤ This video was my first hearing of Mahler’s 8th nearly three years ago. I have since listened to every recording I can find of the work, and this video with Bernstein remains my favorite. Such an extraordinary and well-blended vocal cast. Even with the poor sound quality, I prefer this over every professional recording I’ve encountered. Stay well.
A top-notch performance by a stellar ensemble, to be sure I, too, am partial to the Solti/Chicago recording, although I was saddened that they didn.t record it with the Chicago Chorus, having heard the combo live several times. Glad to share this with you again..
I would say its definitely worthwhile listening to most classical pieces multiple times. When you are listening to a symphony that is an hour long (or more), your attention can drift, and because it is all unfamiliar and usually not super repetitive, you will be a bit lost. But then when you listen again and you know the overall structure a bit better, where the piece is going, and remember more of the melodies, then it all hits a lot harder. You know where you are in the piece, and sections that sounded confusing or did not grab you before will now be some of your favourites because you can now recognise the melodies and themes that are used to create them.
Now do Mahler 2 with Bernstein conducting, the live is good, but the New York phill recording during this period is transcendent!! I weep almost every time during the finale!
Basically those who’s on the balcony seats (sorry if I used the wrong term,) can’t really see Bernstein gesture and signal to them. Indeed we need another conductor up there to give a more accurate and effective signals to the work for them. But in the close ending of the symphony you’ll see that Bernstein will turn back at them, which is quite interesting but still, Bernstein is Bernstein.
This is a lovely recording by Bernstein and the VPO. But in my opinion if you want to experience the best ever recording of this symphony, listen to Solti's classic 1971 recording with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Singverein. It will blow you away! th-cam.com/video/58fKby1c76E/w-d-xo.html
The line up of soloists is really something. I like Chaillys conducting better than Bernsteins in this Symphony but the singers hold no candle to Bernstein's cast.
@@DynastieArtistique I can't remember if I've ever heard Walter's or Stokowski's versions before. I'll have to give them a listen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I guess, Shostakovich is not too popular here, haven't seen any Shosty for a while. I would've been happy to see 4th, 12th, or 15th, all exciting pieces.
@@NorthonBrucethe 4th and the 13th are both the greatest symphonies written by a Russian composer in my opinion, and arguably the best symphonies of the 20th century (excluding Mahler)
This finale and the 2nd symphony finale are two of the most exhilarating moments in music
Is it possible for anyone to say which ending is more majestic. Both are the two grandest ending in all symphoonic music but which is better???
@@hillcresthiker Fear not, for I have the answer: the 2nd, by a bit. But only just a bit.
I love love the contrast from the end of the 1st part to the start of the 2nd. "Now it really begins" vibes. Also, Mahler wrote this entire thing in 2 months. That is absolutely wild
Now you have basically ascended to expert level. Listening to the same piece in different recordings is a whole other rabbit hole. You'll turn into a collector in no time and clump up your Apple or Spotify library with recordings. ;)
I like listening to Mahler most in total darkness with my eyes shut. Nothing but beauty, no distractions.
You need to listen to Strauss Eine Alpensinfonie, its so good, my Strauss favorite !
YES
Mahler's music is Heavenly
Thanks for listening and reacting to this version. I think Bernstein was responsible for popularizing Mahler, especially working in Vienna...he brings his special energy to it (I like how he was mouthing the words all the way through). This version also has much better singers than the previous one; the sopranos here were not the least bit screamy (I saw you smiling at some of those high notes!) and the boys choir here was outstanding too. You asked about the assistant conductor in the balcony: he's there in case the brass choir up there can't see what Bernstein is doing...nowadays they could have the conductor on a screen anywhere, but no tablets back then. FYI...the organist has his back to Bernstein the whole time, but he's looking at him via a mirror over the organ. You definitely should hear this live...it's overwhelming.
Yeah the singers here are just wonderful! Also my favourite version of 'Waldung, sie schwankt heran' :D
@@jonaspfister682: Yes, the greatest gathering of Mahler 8 soloists. Hermann Prey is especially memorable. This performance is full of deep emotions. 😎🎹
The second conductor is, I think, James Levine. A student of Bernstein, he conducted the Met for 40 years. He's there to conduct the brass ensemble.
Regarding the assistent conductor: there is a separate brass ensemble (called "Fernorchester") on the opposite end of the hall right under the ceiling. They don't have a good view of Bernstein, so the assistent conductor is needed to synchronize them with the main orchestra, because if they would just be guided by the sound, they would be to late - considering the immense distance between them and the stage.
I LOVE THIS VERSION.....BERNSTEIN IS A MASTER OF MAHLER!!!!
Gidi blessed us this week with two Mahler 8s 🙏
I can't say I'm personally a fan of Mahler, but I do think that it's essential to hear Bernstein recordings of all the Mahler symphonies at some point. Bernstein was the conductor who brought Mahler into the standard repertoire, which makes him the single most influential Mahler conductor.
Wonderful! Notice that Mahler this orchestra, whose chief he was for many years, had in mind when he wrote this music. Fascinating, too, how Bernstein pitches and edges the words in the first choir of the 2nd movement (he spoke German fluently).
MARAVILLOSOS ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ .............
Bud - please, please - Mahler 9. Specifically Claudio Abaddo’s recording with the Lucerne festival orchestra. It will blow you away. Keep at it!
I love this symphony, it's one of my top pieces!!!!!
Chailly's and Bernstein's performances of this symphony are excellent, indeed. (I'm a Bernstein fan myself.) For your third reaction, I suggest Gustavo Dudamel's performance filmed in Caracas, Venezuela. In that video, you'll see and hear the full representation of the forces called upon for this work, performers that truly number 1000+. The choir is huuuuge!
I was just abou to make the same recommendation. These are young performers playing this work and it's stunning. It also made me cry because the ending is beautiful.
I've listened to so many versions of this masterpiece over and over again and I find for my taste that I rate Ozawa and the Boston my favorite though they are all excellent. The brilliance of this piece is that it can survive mulltiple interpretations (although for my taste, I find Chailly's tempi work against the marvellous crescendos especially in the final choruses).
great to see you are enjoying Mahler! And its true what you said about the importance of coming back to a piece. For me the Mahler symphonies get more beautiful everytime I listen to them
Thank you for this, Gidi ❤ This video was my first hearing of Mahler’s 8th nearly three years ago. I have since listened to every recording I can find of the work, and this video with Bernstein remains my favorite. Such an extraordinary and well-blended vocal cast. Even with the poor sound quality, I prefer this over every professional recording I’ve encountered. Stay well.
Mahler's masterpiece. Can you do Strauss's Symphonia domestica ?!
This is probably one of my favourite symphonies/pieces
My favourites versions are Rattle and Tennstedt
A top-notch performance by a stellar ensemble, to be sure I, too, am partial to the Solti/Chicago recording, although I was saddened that they didn.t record it with the Chicago Chorus, having heard the combo live several times. Glad to share this with you again..
I definitely recommend listening to Mahler's Song of the Earth (Das Lied von Der Erde).
I would say its definitely worthwhile listening to most classical pieces multiple times. When you are listening to a symphony that is an hour long (or more), your attention can drift, and because it is all unfamiliar and usually not super repetitive, you will be a bit lost. But then when you listen again and you know the overall structure a bit better, where the piece is going, and remember more of the melodies, then it all hits a lot harder. You know where you are in the piece, and sections that sounded confusing or did not grab you before will now be some of your favourites because you can now recognise the melodies and themes that are used to create them.
Now do Mahler 2 with Bernstein conducting, the live is good, but the New York phill recording during this period is transcendent!! I weep almost every time during the finale!
Basically those who’s on the balcony seats (sorry if I used the wrong term,) can’t really see Bernstein gesture and signal to them. Indeed we need another conductor up there to give a more accurate and effective signals to the work for them. But in the close ending of the symphony you’ll see that Bernstein will turn back at them, which is quite interesting but still, Bernstein is Bernstein.
Second conductor is for the choruses.
The conductor in the balcony is there to lead the offstage brass instruments.
I suggest you react to mexican classical music: Huapango by José Pablo Moncayo....
This is a lovely recording by Bernstein and the VPO. But in my opinion if you want to experience the best ever recording of this symphony, listen to Solti's classic 1971 recording with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Singverein. It will blow you away! th-cam.com/video/58fKby1c76E/w-d-xo.html
I agree with you about part 2 of Solti, but the Veni is very mediocre.
@@bilahn1198 I skip straight to part 2 90% of the time anyway lol
The line up of soloists is really something. I like Chaillys conducting better than Bernsteins in this Symphony but the singers hold no candle to Bernstein's cast.
Sorry, but calling Solti’s the best ever recording is just wrong when you have Walter and Stokowski’s versions.
@@DynastieArtistique I can't remember if I've ever heard Walter's or Stokowski's versions before. I'll have to give them a listen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
React to Shostakovich 10
I guess, Shostakovich is not too popular here, haven't seen any Shosty for a while.
I would've been happy to see 4th, 12th, or 15th, all exciting pieces.
Not even a please lol
@@NorthonBrucethe 4th and the 13th are both the greatest symphonies written by a Russian composer in my opinion, and arguably the best symphonies of the 20th century (excluding Mahler)