Gustav Mahler, Zubin Mehta, Ileana Cotrubas, Christa Ludwig, Wiener Philharmoniker - Mahler: Symphony No. 2 / Mehta, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

"Beg to report safe delivery of a strong, healthy last movement to my Second. Father and child doing as well as can be expected." So ran Mahler's jubilant message on completion of his "Resurrection" Symphony, which after several years' painful gestation had come together in his mind with a sudden flash of inspiration. It had begun as a single-movement funeral rite, and gradually taken shape under the influence of Schubert's music, but the choral conclusion of Beethoven's Ninth was its Grail. Zubin Mehta's 25-year-old recording is a superb addition to the ranks of contending interpretations. It is lighter on its feet than Bernstein's classic version, with all the elements in Mahler's tonal landscape brought out in high relief: by turns lush, austere, grandiose, and intimate. Here is the Vienna Phil at its best, with two incomparable voices on the bridge--Christa Ludwig's steely mezzo and Ileana Cotrubas's soaring soprano. The "Legendary" on the cover is not hype: This is still as good as it gets. --Michael Church Amazon.com

Great recording

I can't hope to be more informative than the other reviews on here, but I must say - this is a really terrific recording of this piece. The recorded sound is excellent, and the performance is exciting and gripping. The first movement is a personal favorite of mine; I wouldn't mind it pushing ahead a little more at times, but otherwise I love the way it is handled. The singing in the fourth movement is superb; and the last movement is of course fantastic - what a climax at the end! I have access to one of the largest music library recording collections in the country, and have listened to numerous recordings of Mahler 2; this one is definitely my favorite. September 13, 2008

Desert Island version of the Mahler 2nd.

This is going to be short and sweet.

First, I am going to completely pass on discussing Mehta's interpretation or the Vienna Philharmonic's performance, as well as the individual merits of Miss Ludwig and Miss Cotrubus. I think all that has been thoroughly discussed here already. In other words, everything that can be said, has been said, although perhaps not everyone has had a chance to say it. This is, simply, one of the great performances.

Therefore, in brief, I would like to give a mention to those amazing men and women who twirl the dials: the engineers. This is an analog recording made near the end of the analog era. The art of analog recording had progressed steadily and significantly for over a half century so that, by the time these sessions were held, it had reached its' considerable pinnacle. This is state-of-the-art analog recording. There was simply no where else to go until a whole new way of recording sound, which was, in truth, just around the corner, came along. I may be over romanticizing this, but I can't help but feel Decca's engineers, never ones to turn in a 2nd rate job, went the extra mile for this project. It's as if they knew all the hard work they, their colleagues and predecessors had done over the years was now coming to its' exalted culmination. I sincerely feel the Decca Vienna team must have meant this magnificent recording to be their valedictory to the analog era. This digital re-master reveals layers of sound that could only have been hinted at on vinyl, as if in 1975 they were already looking forward to the day this analog recording would be properly presented in the digital medium.

In short, all involved in this project reached beyond themselves, touched eternity, and bestowed that eternity upon us.

April 15, 2008

As Good as Recommended

I bought this CD because it appeared first when I searched for Mahler Symphony 2. There were lots of positive feedbacks on Amazon but I was a little concerned about the sound quality.

Rest Assured Dear Reader, this is a Fantastic CD.

Sound Quality is Good.

Mehta's conducting and the Orchestra are simply top notch.

I am quite satisfied with this purchase.

Thanks, Amazon Reviewers.

February 27, 2008

A New Mahler Devotee

Recently I have been 'converted' to Mahler, so I am not an expert on him, but I love this recording. The second movement especially is particularly wonderful, Mehta seems to get exactly what he wants from the orchestra. That movement is an especial favorite of mine, but the whole thing is great.
If you are familiar with the work and looking for a good recording, I recommend this one. If you are new to Mahler, I recommend starting with this symphony, and of course this is a perfect recording to start on. The second symphony is relatively easy to listen to, and its scope, as with many of Mahler's works, is enormous.

Other Mahler recommends:
.Das Lied Von Der Erde (not familiar with a lot of recordings but I have the EMI w/ Fritz Wunderlich and Christa Ludwig. I like it a lot, esp. Wunderlich.)
.Symphony No. 4 (I like the Chicago Symphony/James Levine/Judith Blegen recording.) December 12, 2007

Fabulous Mahler

Fantastic performance of the Mahler Second by Mehta. This recording (and Mehta's excellent Bruckner 9th with the VPO, nla on Decca Legends) brings up an interesting point --- that sometimes classical musicians are at their best quite early in their careers. Certainly that is the case for Mehta, who never came close to his early efforts on Decca. Same thing in my opinion is true for pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy (fantastic Chopin Ballads/Scheri, Ravel Gaspard, and Rachmaninoff Preludes and Concerti on Decca Legends, and his early Bach BWV 1052 concerto and Mozart concerto recordings) and Maag's Mendelsonn Symphonies. In any event, essential Mahler, with good, though rather dated sound. Not to be missed. November 7, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...