I have never in my long life David heard of or seen a guy who taste in classical music is as eclectic as yours... you are a master of the whole spectrum, no matter what period you are dealing with. Amazing. Love your videos, the highlight of my day.
I have never heard a noteworthy performance by Netopil. His Martinů Kytice was particularly disappointing. In the old Ančerl recording the rhythms are so much sharper, the colours brighter, and the fortes, well, actually forte.
Well stated, particularly your overview, which reminds me of the late Martin Bernheimer's quote; "I'd rather hear a lot of mistakes and have music move me than hear a brilliantly articulated performance that says nothing." That pretty much sums up my listening credo. As you note, a lower tier orchestra can create a fine performance if the conductor lets them do it.
But isn't the problem simply that there's *too much Mahler*? I agree completely - Mahler ought to be an event. But it isn't. There's probably some orchestra playing a Mahler symphony somewhere on the planet right now, and tomorrow and the day after that. What's special about Mahler now? Plus, of course, old folks like me will always think, "well Bernstein (insert favoured Mahler conductor of old here) did this better." Frankly my heart sinks a bit when I see Mahler on the program, because it's rarely any good, and it's just the latest pretty hotshot on the podium working through yet another cycle we don't need. I'd propose a good long moratorium on Mahler performances if anyone ever listened to me.
Agreed! Steve McClue. Certainly there are works that should be events, not run of the mill excercises, i.e The Bach B minor mass or the "Passions". The Mahler "Resurrection" is certainly in that rarefied company, unfortunately the marketplace too often demands "product" of questionable merit, so we have the "Not ready for prime time Philharmonic" in Gnadenhutten Ohio ( my home state) offering up a recording of a Mahler symphony with vocalists whose German resembles the sound of a liverwurst maker. Thank goodness for Dave, our gendarme at the gate!
I know what you mean. When the Colorado Symphony tackled this in the spring, it wasn’t technically the best performance (the poor principle horn flubbed a couple of notes during different solo parts- not good when someone like me can notice that), but it was definitely an event for the orchestra and their newly hired music director and they pulled no punches. If one commemorates a Mahler 2 for posterity, it ought to be something we want to experience. Thanks for the review.
That's the right attitude. I attended a Mahler 6th a few years back when the orchestra was not exactly world class, but the total experience was still immensely moving. The music won the day.
I was fortunate enough to be playing Solo timpanist in a performance of Mahler s 2nd Symphony and distinctly recall at one point in the Symphony the requirement of 3 timpanists . A truly monumental piece of music indeed
I wonder how much money a superfluous recording like this makes a label like Oehms. I can understand labels rolling out similar, mediocre recordings if it makes them money, but I doubt something like this can be much of a profit center. If not, please spare the universe this insignificant contribution to the complete discography.
I'm sure the orchestra paid for it and paid Oehms to release it. There is no such thing as a "profit" consideration in this, or much of the classical record business anymore. Performers pay to play.
I did think Netopil recorded some really good Czech repertoire. Trouble is when you delve into Mahler it's a different ball game. It can be the kiss of death not just for Netopil but for many others. Dave, you are right, we have been spoilt in the past.
How can a conductor not be totally bowled over when conducting this magnificent work? I cannot understand it. Thanks again, David. It must have been a difficult listen.
Dave, did you watch Rattle's Mahler 2 in this summer's BBC Proms? I'd be interested in knowing what you thought, and if you agree that it was good, to hear you articulate why (I loved it!). Thanks
@@DavesClassicalGuide A few years ago I saw a BBC(?) documentary entitled "Farewell Brum". It was about Rattle's leaving Birmingham, and preparing for his final concert as music director: the Mahler 2nd. The actual performance was included; but unfurtunately the producer separated the movements and spaced them out throughout the documentary, separated by interviews, "talking heads", audience reactions, etc. It was butchery...BUT, as near as I could tell, the performance was magnificent. It sent me racing out to buy Rattle's studio version...which turned out to be an utter waste of time and money.
I have never in my long life David heard of or seen a guy who taste in classical music is as eclectic as yours... you are a master of the whole spectrum, no matter what period you are dealing with. Amazing. Love your videos, the highlight of my day.
Thanks very much!
I have never heard a noteworthy performance by Netopil. His Martinů Kytice was particularly disappointing. In the old Ančerl recording the rhythms are so much sharper, the colours brighter, and the fortes, well, actually forte.
Well stated, particularly your overview, which reminds me of the late Martin Bernheimer's quote; "I'd rather hear a lot of mistakes and have music move me than hear a brilliantly articulated performance that says nothing." That pretty much sums up my listening credo. As you note, a lower tier orchestra can create a fine performance if the conductor lets them do it.
"Respectability" is overrated. I agree with Dave here: Just go for broke!
“To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.“
- Beethoven
But isn't the problem simply that there's *too much Mahler*? I agree completely - Mahler ought to be an event. But it isn't. There's probably some orchestra playing a Mahler symphony somewhere on the planet right now, and tomorrow and the day after that. What's special about Mahler now?
Plus, of course, old folks like me will always think, "well Bernstein (insert favoured Mahler conductor of old here) did this better." Frankly my heart sinks a bit when I see Mahler on the program, because it's rarely any good, and it's just the latest pretty hotshot on the podium working through yet another cycle we don't need.
I'd propose a good long moratorium on Mahler performances if anyone ever listened to me.
Particularly symphony 2. I’ve been dying to see any of the others but that’s all they play around me. It’s quite tiring
Agreed! Steve McClue. Certainly there are works that should be events, not run of the mill excercises, i.e The Bach B minor mass or the "Passions". The Mahler "Resurrection" is certainly in that rarefied company, unfortunately the marketplace too often demands "product" of questionable merit, so we have the "Not ready for prime time Philharmonic" in Gnadenhutten Ohio ( my home state) offering up a recording of a Mahler symphony with vocalists whose German resembles the sound of a liverwurst maker.
Thank goodness for Dave, our gendarme at the gate!
Thanks for explaining the room. That archive reminds me of the local university music library where I used to occasionally hang out.
I know what you mean. When the Colorado Symphony tackled this in the spring, it wasn’t technically the best performance (the poor principle horn flubbed a couple of notes during different solo parts- not good when someone like me can notice that), but it was definitely an event for the orchestra and their newly hired music director and they pulled no punches. If one commemorates a Mahler 2 for posterity, it ought to be something we want to experience. Thanks for the review.
That's the right attitude. I attended a Mahler 6th a few years back when the orchestra was not exactly world class, but the total experience was still immensely moving. The music won the day.
I was fortunate enough to be playing Solo timpanist in a performance of Mahler s 2nd Symphony and distinctly recall at one point in the Symphony the requirement of 3 timpanists . A truly monumental piece of music indeed
I never expected this to be fun, but when you described what the trumpets failed to do, I laughed out loud.
I wonder how much money a superfluous recording like this makes a label like Oehms. I can understand labels rolling out similar, mediocre recordings if it makes them money, but I doubt something like this can be much of a profit center. If not, please spare the universe this insignificant contribution to the complete discography.
I'm sure the orchestra paid for it and paid Oehms to release it. There is no such thing as a "profit" consideration in this, or much of the classical record business anymore. Performers pay to play.
I did think Netopil recorded some really good Czech repertoire. Trouble is when you delve into Mahler it's a different ball game. It can be the kiss of death not just for Netopil but for many others. Dave, you are right, we have been spoilt in the past.
And this enormous Karajan box review?? Kkkkkkk
I'm hooked on the Kubelik Mahler 2. If I don't listen to it once a week I get the DTs.
How can a conductor not be totally bowled over when conducting this magnificent work? I cannot understand it. Thanks again, David. It must have been a difficult listen.
Not really--just a dull one. I enjoy listening to just about anything, good or bad. I love my job!
Well done!
I'm interested to know what you think of Solti's recording with the LSO. I would blast that one as a kid when my parents were gone.
Exciting performance, for sure, very strangely recorded.
@@DavesClassicalGuideInteresting. I have it on reel-to-reel tape 7.5 ips. I'll have to hear a digital remastering to hear what you mean by that.
Dave, did you watch Rattle's Mahler 2 in this summer's BBC Proms? I'd be interested in knowing what you thought, and if you agree that it was good, to hear you articulate why (I loved it!). Thanks
I did not. I've seen him do several Mahler 2s and they were all pretty lousy. Maybe he finally got one right?
@@DavesClassicalGuide A few years ago I saw a BBC(?) documentary entitled "Farewell Brum". It was about Rattle's leaving Birmingham, and preparing for his final concert as music director: the Mahler 2nd. The actual performance was included; but unfurtunately the producer separated the movements and spaced them out throughout the documentary, separated by interviews, "talking heads", audience reactions, etc. It was butchery...BUT, as near as I could tell, the performance was magnificent. It sent me racing out to buy Rattle's studio version...which turned out to be an utter waste of time and money.
@@richardfrankel6102 CBSO or BPO?
@@kanishknishar CBSO.
@@richardfrankel6102 Did you try his LSO broadcast?