Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Kindertotenlieder [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Michael Tilson Thomas (Conductor), Michelle DeYoung (Performer), San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Michelle DeYoung
• Orchestra: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (March 18, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Label: Delos Records
• ASIN: B00008PX6K
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780,737 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 3 in D minor: Part I. Introduction. 1. Kräftig, entschieden

2. Symphony No. 3 in D minor: Part II. 2. Tempo di menuetto. Sehr mässig

3. Symphony No. 3 in D minor: Part II. 3. Comodo. Scherzando. Ohne Hast

Disc: 2

1. Symphony No. 3 in D minor: Part II. 4. Sehr langsam. Misterioso

2. Symphony No. 3 in D minor: Part II. 5. Lustig im Tempo und keck im Ausdruck

3. Symphony No. 3 in D minor: Part II. 6. Langsam. Ruhevoll. Empfunden

4. Kindertotenlieder, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra): 1. Nun will die Sonn' so hell aufgeh'n

5. Kindertotenlieder, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra): 2. Nun seh' ich wohl

6. Kindertotenlieder, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra): 3. Wenn dein Mütterlain tritt zur Tür herein

7. Kindertotenlieder, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra): 4. Oft denk' ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen

8. Kindertotenlieder, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra): 5. In diesem Wetter, in diesem Braus

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical-dramatic Mahler Third Symphony in exquisite sound, November 9, 2003

By 

Dan Fee "music fan aka drdanfee" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Kindertotenlieder (Audio CD)

Here is Michael Tilson Thomas, aka Tomascevski, leading the San Francisco Symphony in their third installment of an ongoing project that will conclude with them recording all of the Mahler Symphonies in super audio/hybrid CD discs. First off, the orchestra is on fine form here, managing to muster more presence or at least slightly better use of their musical presence (compared to the lovely, but at times underpowered Second symphony, led by Blomstedt) to do this large, sprawling work. Don't look up there! Mahler cautioned Bruno Walter when he came for a visit in the mountainous countryside of rural Austria. I've already composed all of it! That said, it is difficult for any single recording to capture all the varied dimensions and emphases that Mahler seems to have written into this music. It is dramatic, without question, but then the drama is suddenly interrupted by poignant and wistful posthorn solos that seem to echo out into the upper reaches, and return from other realms. There are times when Summer Marches In, primarily to terrify you with the Panic that signals the ancient presence of the unruly god, Pan, arrived in our midst at bright glaring noonday. In the latter movements, Mahler adds an alto singing Nietsche's poetry, followed by a raucous and chiming boychoir to make bell sounds that again seem to suggest towering mountains whose echoes ring with silvery brightness. My favorite Mahler Third is actually out of print now. It is the wonderful, late-in-life recording conducted by the much neglected Jascha Horenstein. He seems to get everything just exactly right, and yet his sound - though very good for its day - must yield to this unbelievably vivid and subtle DSD recording. Since I already own the Horenstein, I enjoyed adding this performance to the shelf. Having sat in Davies Hall where the orchestra plays, and where this set was recorded, I can only say that you are put right there. Some of that uncanny quality must derive form the fact that these are mixed from a series of live performances in the hall. But super audio does its part too. The multichannel sound is not brash, nor need it be played over loud to make its effects. Nevertheless, if you can hear this in super audio, another dimension of sonic reality opens up, all in your very own home. The alto is Michelle DeYoung. She sings handsomely, though perhaps without the extra bit of gravitas that Janet Baker or Christa Ludwig could bring to the lyrics. Also, quite nicely she fills out the set by doing the Kindertotenlieder cycle, a worthy companion that plumbs the depths, as does the symphony. The famous Adagietto is completely convincing. And you may find yourself wanting a repeat of it, just punch the replay button. Highly recommended.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good rendition, October 24, 2003

By 

MasterG (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Kindertotenlieder (Audio CD)

Having heard some 20 different interpretations of this piece, both live and recorded, I must say this is one of my favorites. It's strongest asset is the beautifully homogenous sound of the orchestra, and of the brass section in particular, who never cease to amaze me with their keen sense of balance concerning blend, edge, volume, and timbre. Tilson-Thomas's interpretation is very convincing in spite of being overly-broad at times. I think he might actually hold a record for the longest 1st movement on disc, but nothing ever comes off as clunky. Every detail is very-well thought out and executed as intended. I was a bit dissapointed in the trombone solo myself. I thought it was uninspired and lacked staying power, but not being a trombone player, perhaps I can't really appreciate this rendition's subtleties. In short, you can't really go wrong with this perfomance. It's got a great orchestra, a great conductor, and is well-recorded. Based on this and his 1st and 6th symphonies, I'm looking forward to Tilson-Thomas's future Mahler recordings as well.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mahler perfection, April 21, 2003

By 

Daniel Graser "saxgod685" (Wappingers Falls, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Kindertotenlieder (Audio CD)

Mahler listeners will note that Tilson Thomas recorded this symphony with the London Symphony orchestra about 10 years ago. If it's in your budget, I would recommend getting this recording and his previous recording as they are diferent in many ways, both being better than the Horenstein recording. Tilson Thomas is much more reserved here than his previous recording, however, the epic grandeur of the third symphony is still just a powerful and magnificent. The San Francisco symphony has a somewhat bright overall tone, a little brighter than the London Symphony. What makes this recording great is the quality of sound, the superb soloists both on the posthorn and mezzo-soprano. This is also Maler's symphony that focuses on the woodwind secton the most and the SF Symphony woodwinds really push themselves to places I've never heard them before.
Michelle DeYoung is indeed a fantastic and intuitive Mahler interpreter with a deep and lovely voice. Mahler's gut-wrenchingly mournful and innocent Kindetotenlieder are also very beautifully performed and conducted. The only compeptition that I think this album will have for best classical album next year is perhaps Tilson Thomas' recording of the first symphony with the SFS. Highly recommended!