|
|
|
Nice that someone on Amazon.com (US version) has put a good review in there for the SACD version... also they must be on sale or something, because it's selling for $14.99 for this 2disc set!!!!
|
|
|
Post by tream July 21, 2004 (2 of 32)
|
|
peteyspambucket said:
Nice that someone on Amazon.com (US version) has put a good review in there for the SACD version... also they must be on sale or something, because it's selling for $14.99 for this 2disc set!!!!
Take a look at the individual's reviews. On the one hand he's definitely into hi-rez, on the other hand, everything he reviews he raves about. Maybe this is the selective thing, as many people write reviews only on recordings they feel passionately about. On the other hand, though, I learned as a budding journalist that your byline loses credibility if you don't trash something every now and then, an unfortunately true statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I didn't go as far as you did to check his other reviews. I have definitely made a habit of reviewing those SACDs that I have passionate feelings for, and unfortunately, (or fortunately, for my credibility) this has meant that I have reviewed here on this some SACDs that I utterly can not abide.
I agree that you have to see what a reviewer likes and dislikes and then you can identify more closely with what the performance might be like given who the reviewer is, and based on that, I have definitely formed opinions of several of the regular reviewers on SA-CD.net.
However, as for the person on Amazon, one might say that he only felt like spending any time writing something good. Some people feel like if they can't say something good about something, it's better to say nothing at all.
I am not quite that disciplined though. :-D
|
|
|
Post by hanser July 22, 2004 (4 of 32)
|
|
peteyspambucket said:
I didn't go as far as you did to check his other reviews. I have definitely made a habit of reviewing those SACDs that I have passionate feelings for, and unfortunately, (or fortunately, for my credibility) this has meant that I have reviewed here on this some SACDs that I utterly can not abide.
I agree that you have to see what a reviewer likes and dislikes and then you can identify more closely with what the performance might be like given who the reviewer is, and based on that, I have definitely formed opinions of several of the regular reviewers on SA-CD.net.
However, as for the person on Amazon, one might say that he only felt like spending any time writing something good. Some people feel like if they can't say something good about something, it's better to say nothing at all.
I am not quite that disciplined though. :-D
I have now read several good reviews of this recording. What I would be interested in, is a comparison between the other recordings of this symphony: by Zander and MTT. I have the Zander and can´t imagine any recording surpassing this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
hanser said:
I have now read several good reviews of this recording. What I would be interested in, is a comparison between the other recordings of this symphony: by Zander and MTT. I have the Zander and can´t imagine any recording surpassing this.
If I can find the Zander, you may get your wish! :-) I would gladly do this comparison.
|
|
|
Post by tream July 22, 2004 (6 of 32)
|
|
peteyspambucket said:
If I can find the Zander, you may get your wish! :-) I would gladly do this comparison.
A feature to this site that might be fun and useful is a "comparative" review capability. Right now the choices to do comparisons are limited to either a specific recording or to use the forum. Neither is ideal for this purpose. Instead, there would be an index to works that would allow a reviewer to post a review of all available recordings (and giving stars to each) and would also like to individual reviews. So if I go to the index, click on "Mahler's 3rd" I see Peteyspambucker's comparative review of Zander and Chailly (and perhaps Boulez and MTT) and others as well, and also links to individual reviews.(BTW, I think far more highly of the MTT/SFS Mahler 3 than does peteyspambucket, guess I better do a review.)
The Zander is in stock at www.amusicdirect.com for $19.99 (as one example) - so when can we have that comparison?
|
|
|
Post by zeus July 22, 2004 (7 of 32)
|
|
peteyspambucket said:
If I can find the Zander, you may get your wish! :-) I would gladly do this comparison.
I've linked 8 vendors, any of which would be glad to sell you a copy (or three):
Mahler: Symphony No. 3 - Zander
|
|
|
|
|
|
OK so I picked the Zander version up today at Tower, and my initial listen-through left me a little cold -- especially in comparison to the Chailly. The sound is also better on DECCA than TELARC. I do plan to listen several more times before I write my (comparative) review.
Stay tuned.
|
|
|
Post by Castor July 25, 2004 (9 of 32)
|
|
hanser said:
I have now read several good reviews of this recording. What I would be interested in, is a comparison between the other recordings of this symphony: by Zander and MTT. I have the Zander and can´t imagine any recording surpassing this.
I have not heard the Zander version but have Boulez, MTT and Chailly. Although the Chailly performance has many good points, I do not feel that it eclipses all others as some have suggested.
I find that some of Chailly’s mannerisms become irritating on repeated hearing.
For example, the broadening of the tempo for the last five notes of the opening fanfare sounds contrived, as does the (unmarked?) ritardando near the end of the first movement. Further, no one has mentioned the conductor’s all too audible groaning at climactic sections of the finale.
The sound is generally excellent but the upper strings lack richness when compared to the SFS or VPO, and to my ears the sound stage is not quite as natural as that on either of the other two recordings. Sorry, but chacun à son goût
|
|
|
|
|
|
In IANA's recent review, "mannerism" is thrown about as though it was a bad word. I wonder what is mannered and what is not. My guess is that what this reviewer calls "mannered" is actually legitimate interpretation, and I feel very sorry for anyone who thinks the MTT version of Mahler 3 is better than the Chailly. And of Haitink's being better, that is somewhat more laughable. Both of whose performances sound more like "readings" than "interpretations".
I just can't believe how anyone would think the Chailly isn't the best on SACD right now for Mahler 3. But to each their own.
|
|
