[Merl]

Lots of talk about excitement from this symphony, but I prefer an interpretation that is relaxed and graceful above all. Noticing strong criticism earlier in this thread against the account that is my favorite, Leinsdorf/Boston from 1962 on Living Stereo, I played it a couple of times last night back-to-back with two recordings in my collection that I think can fairly be described as exciting, Ozawa/Boston from 1977 and Gielen/SWR from 2002. I enjoyed them all, but I still prefer Leinsdorf. And I find the engineering and sound quality to be very good, typical of Living Stereo. Oh well, there's my take on it. After listening to this symphony four times in one sitting, I think I won't listen to it again for a year or so.

I like excitement in the final movement but elsewhere a strong sense of forward momentum is necessary for a successful reading. For me, rhythms are very important, especially in the scherzo, for a good first but I can live with more relaxed versions too. I rate Leinsdorf's first like you . Its a fine account and if you like that one, Simpy, then I urge you to try out Jurowski's lovely 1st which is very much in the Leinsdorf's vein. It's live and beautifully recorded but there's some glorious detail in there. He includes the Blumine movement but if you don't want to hear it (I nearly always miss it out in recordings that contain it) just skip it.

 

[BlackAdderLXX]

I am loving this thread right now. Is the Mackerras out of print?

 

[annaw]

Another one to consider is the Linton / RPO 1st which I think is as exciting as hell. I mentioned it in Hurwitz's comments box as well.

Listening to this at the moment on streaming. Really stunning! I would say it's not similarly über Romantic as, say, Bernstein's (but then whose is?!) but it's really brisk and I love that. The quick passages and the whole 2nd movement, particularly, are crazy exciting and Mahler's colourful orchestration really comes through. Thanks for mentioning it, Merl!

EDIT: The last movement is thunderous too.

 

[Merl]

Eschenbach is a great effort too, a bit more romantic than others but great rhythms and there's some thump on the last movement. Yeah, the Mackerras is probably OOP, Blackadder. And yes the Linton is definitely one of the brisker, more high-octane ones, annaw, but that's why I like it so much.

 

[Brahmsianhorn]

Barbirolli gets overlooked in this symphony. It’s a perfect interpretation, my favorite stereo version.

Best overall is Walter’s 1939 live recording with the NBC Orch. Bruno was on fire that day.

 

[Joachim Raff]

There are only two versions that I really like. I want a version that does not drags its heals particular in the funeral march but also the other movements. The sonics need to hold up as well. Solti's LSO is a let down in this department. The beginning of the finale sorts out a lot of the recordings. It needs to be exciting but there needs to be control. The modern versions are just too weedy and thin sounding.

1st Choice:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez
Recorded: 1998-05-02 (DG)

2nd Choice:
Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam, Leonard Bernstein
Recorded: 1987-10-10
Label: DG

 

[Geoff48]

It’s surprising that no one has mentioned either of the versions conducted by Paul Kletzki. Kletzki is a sadly underrated conductor but one who rarely gave a bad performance. He recorded the symphony twice, the first in mono with the Israel Philharmonic, the second in early stereo with the Vienna Philharmonic. Unfortunately the work is cut in both versions but they are both very good. And the Vienna Philharmonic seems to have a special connection with Mahler who spent a while as their chief conductor. Both are worth listening to.
Another I like is Giulini with the Chicago Symphony which is included in the EMI complete Mahler collection. Everyone raves about his ninth but his first is pretty good also. And this was recorded before Giulini slowed down most of his interpretations.

 

[brucknerian1874]

A couple of more recent efforts worthy of more attention IMHO.

 

[vincula]

What a wonderful thread this is. I'm very fond of Mahler's no.1. I got introduced to the work listening to Solti/Chicago SO many moons ago.

I own quite a few. The ones I return to more often are Tennstedt's/LSO and Kubelik's live recording on Audite.

Regards,

Vincula

 

[mparta]

Kubelik, Tennstedt, Walter, Horenstein are tops.

Boulez is quite, quite good.

Also, surprisingly, Mehta with NYPO.

why surprisingly on Mehta? I think he's a much underrated conductor, having heard him with the NYPO and in Munich at the opera. Hearing the NYPO is always an ordeal, I used to go yearly just to convince myself (successfully, unfortunately) every year that you couldn't really hear the orchestra in that awful hall and that they probably couldn't really hear each other. But I heard a Gurrelieder that was breathtaking (be quite an achievement to make it dull) and a magnificent Brahms concert with Brendel in the first concerto (they did get a bit at cross purposes) and 1st symphony. The thing that impressed me most was the Mehta has a conception of sound, his Brahms sounded like his and no one else's.

My Mahler 1 remains:

The BSO just plays the bejesus out of it. Great recording, beautiful, great orchestra and Ozawa doesn't get in the way. Really, BSO here, world beating.

 

[mbhaub]

And for anyone like myself who wants great SACD Surround Sound and great performances, these two. Thanks Merl.

The opening is very special and the sense of space, the vastness, you get from these two is wonderful.

 

[arkadinho]

I will toss out another from the pre-Mahler boom era, 1957, this one in early stereo. Of the various recordings that I have and have heard, it is the one I go to most frequently.

View attachment 110881

Yep, it's between that and Horenstein with Vienna Symphony for me

 

[Superflumina]

As usual with Mahler for me Kubelik is king here.

 

[Ned Low]

As usual with Mahler for me Kubelik is king here.

Exactly. It's been my favourite ever since the day i listened to it, though i like Abbado(Berlin) and Boulez.

 

[Varick]

What about Muti and Philadelphia Orchestra? Another conductor that never lets me down

This is what I love about music. To me, Muti is almost the opposite. He almost always lets me down. I find his Beethoven slogging, boring, and muted, and almost everything else he does just sounds lifeless (Mehta, Barenboim, and often Ozawa are on that side of the ledger as well). He did do a great job with Carmina Burana though. Different strokes for different folks! What a boring world if we all agreed with each other.

V

 

[Varick]

why surprisingly on Mehta? I think he's a much underrated conductor, having heard him with the NYPO and in Munich at the opera. Hearing the NYPO is always an ordeal, I used to go yearly just to convince myself (successfully, unfortunately) every year that you couldn't really hear the orchestra in that awful hall and that they probably couldn't really hear each other.

It really is a shame about Avery Fisher Hall. After going there many times because the artists I managed performed there, once I was out of music mgmt, I never went back because of the HORRIFIC acoustics. The sound was dead after the first 10 rows or so. Since moving out of NYC about 17 years ago, I haven't stayed current on Lincoln Ctr. Have they done ANYTHING to try to improve it? There are so many great performers, concerts, and recitals there, but damned if I'll go. I'll give it another shot if they've done some major renovations.

For now, my NYC classical music performances are kept to Carnegie Hall, 92nd St Y, and Frick Museum.

V

 

[Marc]

I like it when the 1st is played lyrical and refined.

Therefore, these recordings come to mind...

SO des Bayerischen Rundfunks / Kubelik (DG):

Boston SO / Seiji Ozawa (DG):

Florida PhO / James Judd (Harmonia Mundi):

 

[staxomega]

Just wondering if you know what the recording date of this is? Trying to figure out if he recorded it more than once with Halle. Thank you.

 

[Allegro Con Brio]

^1957, I believe (stereo). I also think it has been recently released on Warner/EMI for the first time.

 

[Becca]

^^ Correct, 1957, and the only time he recorded that. I don't even know of any available broadcast concerts of the 1st as there are of (e.g.) the 2, 3, 4 etc.

FWIW, it's very high on my list for the 1st.