Review: The Michael Tilson Thomas 80-CD Sony Box--WOW!

These 80 CDs contain MTT's complete recordings for Columbia, Sony and RCA. With very few exceptions (his Beethoven cycle) they are pretty marvelous, playing to his strengths as a conductor (Debussy, Stravinsky, Ives, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Mahler, Copland and much more), while enriching the catalogue in a smart, vibrant, and dynamic way. Get it while you can.

[sbingham]

Okay I am convinced. I will go on the hunt for this boxed set, because I just watched the EXCELLENT PBS documentary on MTT, and I can't believe how inspired I am now - must have this box. Thanks for your introduction to it!!

[dmntuba]

When I was a young musician (I'm 59 now) I didn't care much for MTT or own very little if any recordings. Possibly the reason for my lack of interest was because other music students & many teachers were so down on MTT ... considered "Bernstein very light."
As I've gotten older I have payed much more attention to him, and recordings... I really admire his time/work in San Francisco .
MTT had a long, healthy tenure with SFS & I believe he truly bloomed in SF, and it was just a magical coupling.
I'm very appreciative of the recordings he gave us from SF & his wonderful educational video series "keeping score."
Thanks MTT 👍

[JohnnyBard]

My first Beethoven cycle was MTT’s on CBS Masterworks. He was great as the our conductor for the New World Symphony in Miami. What an amazing man!

[davidaltschuler]

Having found most of MTT's Frisco Mahler rather dull, I hadn't played his LSO M3 in this box in decades. Seeing this video, I put on just now. WOW, it has all that mischievous crude fun you attributed to the Inbal on Denon. That ecstatic pagan part in the middle of the 1st movement could have accompanied an Aztec human sacrifice orgy. What a magnetic, well recorded performance, exquisitely detailed at a slow (34 minute) tempo. I just loved it; can't believe I've ignored it for so long. Thanks for the prod.

[ocelotsly]

Very glad to hear you talking at length about Ives' second Orchestral Set at 20:05. It's my favourite of Ives' works; and MTT's Concertgebouw recording is my favourite recorded performance. (I only know the Stokowski and the Dohnányi: I wouldn't call them perfunctory, but I feel like MTT's more measured tempi dig in deeper to the music. And the Concertgebouw play magnificently.)

[timothyweir]

MTT’s Sony/RCA legacy is uniquely him, and these recordings largely play to his strengths. This makes the set, in your words, “something to be savored and dipped into regularly.” Its “really, really, really good”-ness is NOT something we get with certain other conductors' big boxes. Glad to add it to my collection.

[operabrotha]

Wow! I always knew Tilson Thomas had a wide repertory, but didn’t realize how far to the fringes he went! Good overview, Dave.

[benjamingreenfield]

Adding those notes about the Nutcracker and the Tavener presents a knowledge of MTT’s discography on these labels by those who curated this box that is woefully lacking from those who’ve been doing these boxes for universal.
Universal are the ones who screwed by putting the same performance of the Beethoven violin concerto on different discs in the Grumiaux box….

Bravo to the Sony people for actually knowing their catalogue and respecting us collectors for whom this sort of thing matters!

[robhaynes]

I got this the day it came out, but it's still in the shrinkwrap. Now I can't wait to tear it open! The only surprise is that you spoke well of this Mahler 3. I've always liked it, but you didn't used to ("Michael Tilson Thomas’ previous Mahler Third for Sony revealed no particular affinity for this music beyond adequate playing."). I do enjoy the occasional change in opinion about recordings — especially my own changes. Thank you so much for taking the time to go through this megabox. It was absolutely worth the wait!

[mikewinter]

There is a wonderful documentary about MTT - on PBS I think. Also a video on Youtube with him giving a deep lecture on Sibelius - looks like was about 14 but fun to watch his enthusiasm.

[bigg]

This one is too late for me... in the sense that I already bought it, MTT-80 box is sitting on my shelf, so what even if you panned it now! (And I always wonder how they manage these tricks to align exactly 80 albums for a man's 80th anniversary? :)) Anyway, just as reported, the contents are well curated, the music mostly marvelous with a lot of unusual stuff, and for me was somehow even more joy, once I had it in my claws, than anticipated. I was wary about the quantity of modern music, but it is almost consistently fine. If I am not going to lose my head over some musicals or miniatures, for others they might just be the cherry on top.
Basically the box only contains one mainstream Classical cycle, and that is Beethoven's, all the rest are either authoritative forays into composers that we do not have too many recordings of, or well-picked pieces by the Classical "stars", which MTT knew he'd play to a "T". :) And even Beethoven symphonies, taken in isolation, are all right (like David said, nothing terribly wrong with them), maybe more easy-going, if that's the word... and just up against too much competition. So not essential, but surely will not have you screaming in indignation. Actually, I just listened to the 4th (with Marton's passionate "Ah! Perfido!" tacked on), and the music seemed to just flow - no pretense, but pleasant. Has Beethoven the right to be pleasant, instead of "revolutionary" and forward-looking? That is the question! Otherwise, not much to skip!

[kenwuesq]

Thank you again for the box set review. Through these four years, I have been amazed by the depth of your knowledge of all these recordings. Is there any composer or artist blind-spot in your knowledge of the classical music recoding canon?

[michaelrossmaessler]

I checked the price, this set is a deal. Wow.

[georgeknowles]

These enormousl box sets are probably a bargain . But who has time nowadays to get through 80 💿 cds.?

[AlexMadorsky]

This is seriously tempting me to backtrack on forswearing the purchase of physical product. I mean seriously, between the repertoire and the performances, not a lot not to love. I’m glad MTT is alive to see how many greatly esteem his life’s work. What an absolutely horrific disease.

[JPFalcononor]

For what it is worth, I have been listening to this set via streaming for the past month and they are tagged "2024 Remaster". Not every disc is available yet but some of them are present in previous releases anyway.
As to whether or not they have been 'remastered", my tinnitus ears cannot tell.

[fabricecoudreau]

Hello Dave. Great vid as usual. By the way "Apocalyspe" is true classic of the 70's! Funny that's the CD1. I'd like to see the face of many listener who are into Tchaikovsky et listen to from France

[Iispj]

Very glad I picked up this box. Can’t wait for it to come in!

[alanmcginn]

What an amazing box. Mine just arrived. Where can I find the time :) haha. 80 new discs on my phone. 40 days of return commutes to the city :)

[guillaumechabason]

MTT with Mahavishnu Orchestra is awesome