Review: Michael Gielen's Mahler Revisited

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Mahler: Symphonies, Song Cycles, Das Lied von der Erde, Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Various Soloists, Choirs, SWR Symphony Orchestra, Michael Gielen (Cond.) SWR Music (17 discs+1 DVD)

The Ultimate Classical Music Guide by Dave Hurwitz

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Michael Gielen conducted Mahler 6 with the NDR Orchestra in my hometown Kiel (10/29/2005). My first live Mahler 6. The concert started with Bartok’s Piano Concerto No 3 (with Elena Bashkirova).

Three days earlier he presented his autobiography „Unbedingt Musik“ (Absolutely Music) at the Literaturhaus in Kiel. After the event I had the opportunity to talk to him. He told me I should burn my CD with Mahler 9 from 1990 (Intercord). He thought he didn‘t get it right. He was much more satisfied with his later recording (2003), which is part of this Mahler Box. I think he was right.

Greetings from Northern Germany (I didn‘t burn the other CD 😅).

arneheinemann

I appreciate this ongoing look at Mahler boxes. Really something to look forward to.

OuterGalaxyLounge

I took this boxed set with me to the country in Wisconsin in August, and I listened start to finish, with great joy in the investment I had made.

Mezzotenor

Hello dear friend. I love this Mahler cycle, I especially like his 6th and 9th a lot. IMHO, this is a Mahler cycle not for the faint hearted listeners, nor for beginners as well. Thank you very much for this review.

jakobpetropoulos

I also liked Gielen's Symphony 8 on Sony from 1981 in Frankfurt. It was my first exposure to Gielen's Mahler. Sold me on him

vincentspinelli

Yes, this is a great 'comprehensive' Mahler box. None of the performances are my favorite, but it's yet another case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. No one will go wrong buying it.

barryguerrero

Just listened to the 7th. Amazing modernist (in a good way) interpretation. Also excellent recording sound.
My reference recording/performance is CSO Solti (saw/heard live in the '70s), very different approach.
The closed captions errors on this are hilarious, e.g. Kindergarten Lieder!

ellenmmartin

I agree with your assessment 100%.
Some truly 1st class performances and some fairly ordinary singing in some of the song cycles. I was surprised to read that Gielen only started performing the first symphony late in his career as he had problems with the piece.
You would never guess it from this performance.

tarakb

My thoughts on each performance differ a bit. But overall--yeah, this is one of my four or five essential Mahler cycles.

brianburtt

David, could you review Imbal's Mahler cycle on Denon? Thanks.

alighieroalighieri

In typical record industry fashion, SWR Music keeps on releasing Celibidache atrocities and lets this go out of print.

michaelchessler

There is an earlier Mahler ninth recorded by Gielen in 1990 (Intercord label). Each movement is 1-2 minute shorter, and so it's even tighter. I think this alternative take of faster and unsentimental last movement defended by Walter, Rosbaud, Kondrashin, Gielen are equally valid, at least it deserved to be heard.

brunoluong

Have you done a recording review of the Mahler song cycles yet? I’m not if I’ve seen it. I find I struggle finding ideal recordings of the song cycles and wonder what are your favourites.

Axzyixxx

There is something personal about the way you talk about Gielen's bleakness, which I don't often sense in your comments about other performers. Did you know him?

DanielGreineder

I agree with the lukewarm verdict of the 4th. But I differ regarding the verdict of the 5th and 9th, though I certainly appreciate the critical point being made about them. Yes, Gielen does not let himself go in e.g. joyous ways in the 5th, but he nonetheless manages to convey a touch of ambivalence also present in the score. I think it works great. I'd rather that than the rather faceless performances one sometimes hears. There is an obviously subjective side to all this. But Gielen's 5th and 9th work brilliantly - at least for me.

johnoconnor