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A terrific performance and recording. Nott takes a dramatic, no nonsense approach to Mahler 2, and this public performance is captured in excellent, wide-range 5.0 surround -- there is no distracting noise that I can detect from the audience. Strings are full and resonant; the brass massive but not overpowering; the percussion truly spectacular in unrestrained dynamic range; the chorus is recorded somewhat forward in perspective, and can be clearly understood -- a good thing; and the two soloists -- unfamiliar to me -- are superb.
For my taste, this performance is as good as any of my previous favorites (live or studio) in Mahler 2, and better than most; and the recording is likewise Spitzenklasse.
A triumph for Nott, Mahler and Tudor Records.
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Post by krisjan April 19, 2010 (2 of 27)
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What other Sym 2's do you have (on either SACD or RBCD)? My two current faves are Fischer on Channel and Slatkin on Telarc (Slatkin's performance is a "sleeper" - many don't seem to know it). Both have superb sound too. I also have several others (on SACD and RBCD) but the Fischer and Slatkin rank highest for me. Can you offer any comparative comments?
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krisjan said:
What other Sym 2's do you have (on either SACD or RBCD)? My two current faves are Fischer on Channel and Slatkin on Telarc (Slatkin's performance is a "sleeper" - many don't seem to know it). Both have superb sound too. I also have several others (on SACD and RBCD) but the Fischer and Slatkin rank highest for me. Can you offer any comparative comments?
Agree about the Fischer and Slatkin SACDs, and would add Mahler: Symphony No. 2 - San Francisco/Michael Tilson Thomas to round out my top 3 favorites for the 2nd.
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Post by krisjan April 19, 2010 (4 of 27)
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krisjan said:
I also have the MTT but put it a tick below the other two.
I would agree with that, but for me, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson makes this a must have recording.
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Post by mahlerei April 19, 2010 (6 of 27)
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Hmm, can't say I liked Fischer or Slatkin's Mahler 2. I sold the latter on Amazon for more than it cost me, so I can't complain. There are so many fine versions on RBCD, but if it has to be SACD then Zinman will do very nicely, thank you.
Have just ordered my copy of the Nott M2 from HMV in the Channel Islands, £8.99 post-free. I see the US release, scheduled for 25 May, is close to $30, which seems very steep.
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Post by pgmdir April 19, 2010 (7 of 27)
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The difference in price for many labels has kept me buying from the UK rather than the USA. I can't imagine why Naxos, the distributor, would have such a differencce from country to country--- The exchange rate isn't that vast.
Back to the earlier question of comparison. I love the Fischer, traded back the Slatkin, finding it simply flat, and find the MTT full of nice aspects, but not hanging together well. MTT does have the most exciting finale of all, in my estimation. I do have Zinman, but I'm not sure that it's as good as my rather unusual Boulez.
But as far as SACD goes-- Nothing comes close to Fischer, with Zinman being a second choice. I, also would like a comparison to these. If I were to order the Nott, it'd be from MDT or Crochet. 30 bucks in the USA is absurd.
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mahlerei said:
"...but if it has to be SACD then Zinman will do very nicely, thank you."
I also have Zinman's Mahler 2 (and all the others in the series) and have ordered the 8th. Good prices, good performances and good recordings.
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Post by akiralx April 19, 2010 (9 of 27)
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On SACD I like MTT and Kaplan, but I agree that Boulez's is very good, one of the best of his cycle.
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Post by mahlerei April 20, 2010 (10 of 27)
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Cherubino said:
I also have Zinman's Mahler 2 (and all the others in the series) and have ordered the 8th. Good prices, good performances and good recordings.
Agree about Zinman's cycle as a whole, though some much better than others. I'm afraid I was very disappointed with the Eighth, but I'd be interested to know what others think.
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