Mahler: The Complete Symphonies [Box set][Original recording remastered]

Anna Reynolds (Orchestra), Gwenyth Annear (Performer), Norma Procter (Performer), Vladimir Ruzdjak (Performer), Donald McIntyre (Performer), Gustav Mahler (Performer), Leonard Bernstein (Performer), James Chambers (Performer), Dame Janet Baker (Performer), Jennie Tourel (Performer), Lili Chookasian (Artist), Martha Lipton (Artist), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Artist), New York Philharmonic (Artist), Hans Vollenweider (Artist), Adele Addison (Artist), Dame Gwyneth Jones (Artist), Erna Spoorenberg (Artist), Lee Venora (Artist), Lucine Amara (Artist), Reri Grist (Artist), John Mitchinson (Artist), Richard Tucker (Artist)

Product Details

• Performer: Gwenyth Annear, Norma Procter, Vladimir Ruzdjak, Donald McIntyre, Gustav Mahler, et al.
• Orchestra: Anna Reynolds
• Audio CD (January 30, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 12
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000589BP
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,452 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For many of us, Leonard Bernstein's first Mahler cycle for CBS (compiled here, remastered and cheaper than ever) has stood the test of time since it initially came out on LP in the late 1960s. Upon completing this traversal of nine symphonies (and the "Adagio" movement from the unfinished 10th), Lenny and the New York Philharmonic achieved something no one else had and proved that Mahler was, simply put, worth recording in the first place. It's still a marvelous set of recordings that belongs in every record collection.

Using the same budgeted design as on their (surprisingly pricey) Original Jacket series of box sets, Sony has unleashed a true bargain here: 12 CDs that average a little over five bucks a pop. Lenny's second cycle for Deutsche Grammophon may boast greater sonics, plenty of wonderful moments, and the complete song cycles, but it costs more than twice as much. Here, we get a younger Lenny, sounding fresh and expressive and delivering still-unparalleled interpretations of the First, Third, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth, and pretty great performances of the rest. The intensity on these discs is infectious and the price can't be beat. A must-have. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More thoughts on a superb and importance set, March 1, 2001

By	George Grella "Urbane citizen" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'd like to add to my initial review of this Mahler set, now that I've listened to everything closely several times, and in comparison to other Mahler recordings. This is still not only the best Mahler set in terms of price, but in terms of consistency of the recordings as well and has to be essential for any Mahler lover. A quick run-down:

Symphony 1: A good recording, points the way to Lenny's later DG recording which is the best. The second movement is highly Romantic and Viennese, the opposite of the minuet-trio style that seems more popular now. The third movement is Lenny at his best, and the opening bass solo is one where it is *finally* played the way Mahler intended.

Symphony 2: A very willful performance in the Bernstein manner, teetering at the brink of indulgence, but he pulls it off. Very good.

Symphony 3: This is a famous performance, and in general it is the very finest I have ever heard of this piece. Simply incredible, expressive and concentrated to the nth degree.

Symphony 4: The only misstep. It's okay, but the forward flow, which is so important, comes out as episodic, and Reri Grist is not the right singer for the last movement.

Symphony 5: Very good, like #1 a real precursor to what Lenny would do later with the VPO. This is a good example of what a conductor I know remarked, that it just took time for Lenny to develop that marvelous legato phrasing that still conveyed a forward pulse even if the phrase seems to be slow. He wasn't quite there at this point, but a fine performance nonetheless.

Symphony 6: Another famous recording, one of the very best of this piece.

Syphony 7: Fantastic, even better than Lenny's later one. The only performance I've heard that makes this sound like a real symphony, rather than a episodic pastiche. It's magic the way he pulls it off.

Symphony 8: Famed again, and one of the very best.

Symphony 9: Incredible. There are many great recordings of #9 and this is one of them. Very different than Lenny's later ones and from any other I know - he takes a very savage, dark view of the first movement, not much misterioso flavor, and pulls it off. Which sets the incredibly played, expressive last movement in an even great light.

The New York Philharmonic was a great orchestra at this time with a great sound for Mahler. String playing, especially in the lower strings, is superb, as are the woodwinds, and the low brass are fantastic. On an inferior system the low brass will probably overpower other sections. The only real weakness are the trumpets, which are sour-sounding and seem to lack physical strength, but this is not enough to mar the whole of this set, which is priceless. Enjoy.

42 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just About Perfect!, January 24, 2003

By	Christopher Forbes "weirdears" (Brooklyn,, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

You can't call yourself culturally literate in music unless you have digested the Mahler symphony cycle. Mahler has gone from a little performed late-romantic to an almost ubiquitous presence on the concert stage. It is a rare symphony orchestra that doesn't program at least one Mahler symphony a season. While you might argue that other late romantics deserve recognition too, you can't argue that Mahler was probably the most important of 20th century symphonists. His influence can be found in most large orchestral music down to the present day.

The Bernstein cycle was the first complete Mahler cycle recorded and, for my money, it's still the best. Though I might like other conductors a little better in idividual symphonies (Tennstadt in the 5th, Kubelik or Klemperer in the 2nd, Walter in the 9th) this is still the greatest overall cycle on record. Bernstein understands Mahler better than just about any other conductor. Perhaps because Bernstein himself is a Mahlerian mix of high philosophy, vulgarity and popular sentiment. As a result, Mahler's unusual stylistic juxtapositions sound less mannered and more organic in Bernstein. I won't break down the set by symphonies but highlights include a marvelous reading of the 4th that really captures the childlike nature of the work; a heaven storming reading of the last movement of the 2nd; A sonically spectacular 8th symphony, and one of the most moving performances of the final movement of the 9th that I've ever heard. This 25 minute, long unbroken line is very hard to pull off in performance but Bernstein matches Walter for forward momentum.

The extra material on this disc is also wonderful. Particularly revered is the recording of Kindertotenlieder with the marvelous Dame Janet Baker. This is a classic performance.

Over and above the great performances, the price is unbeatable. You will never get a comparable reading of so much Mahler at such a cheap price. Get this CD, now!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bernstein's Mahler - Exceptional Passion, Wonderful Craft, December 7, 2003

By	Steven C. Myers (Bedford , PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Leonard Bernstein brought Gustav Mahler to the public. For that, he is to be lauded or cursed -- based upon what the listener receives from the presentation.
I have a numbered copy of the CBS 1960's release of the Symphonies under Maestro Bernstein. Carefully protected and maintained, the vinyl continues to enthrall a listener with Mahler's powerful heart and Bernstein's grasp of each beat.
In agreement with other viewers, I think the CD compilation is ALMOST five-star.
As regards Bernstein's youthful verve in these recordings -- what can one say? He was more powerful then, but contemplative at the same time. His DG recordings are different because, I think, they played to a German/European audience that preferred Mahler's contemporary, Richard Strauss. Strauss was easy to listen to: Mahler is much more challenging.
One can "tech-up" music only so much. This CD package is well worth the price -- and saves unblemished what my vinyl slowly loses. I highly recommend this CD bundle to anyone who loves Gustav's herculean work and wants to remember Leonard Bernstein when he absolutely was in his prime. A better combination of composer to dirigent cannot be had