seponvi (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I would like see all the symphony but this symphony is too large. It lasts 85 minutes and the Finale (In Tempo das Scherzo) lasts half an hour but its a movement is a musical wonderful specially the last part when appearts the choir and vocal the solists. Thanks for this version I liked me (Claudio Abbao)

prokarajan (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Problem with interpreting Mahler is that Conductors over sensualize the Mahler score.Bernstein once said Mahler is one of the easiest composers to conduct,because Mahler used to give extensive directions in his score.Conductors don't get it they do their own thing and people faint with admiration.Listen to Bruno Walters' renditins.People call them soft and dull.Now someone tell me if there is anybody who is more qualified than Walter to conduct Mahler.Abbado's rendtion is faithful to Mahler!!!

weepingforbrunnhilde (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Ah, I'd love to go hear them live in Lucerne. I'm just going by my impression formed by what I've heard on the radio over the years. It's not an opinion etched in stone, by any means. And now, after having seen Mazel conduct die Walkure, my definition of "uninspired" has changed. That performance was flat out dull. I've *never* found Abbado dull. Besides, what musicians think of a conductor may not correspond to how an audience, live or via recording, connects to him.

weepingforbrunnhilde (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Cheers, I'll keep my ears open for those recordings!

nachtmusik1860 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

he is so uninspired that some of the best orchestral musicians of the world (including some world class soloists) give up on their summer holidays to play with and for him. Have a look around the orchestra, mate, see if you recognize someone, or go and hear them LIVE in Lucerne.

nibelungensohn (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I agree that he is reliable. There are those who call him Abbadull but I wouldn't go that far. Besides, his recent works often rise above the level of just being solid. The 2 and the 9 in his Mahler DVD cycle are probably the most intense performances of these symphonies I've heard.

weepingforbrunnhilde (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I've always found Abbado solid, you're right. Not inspired, but solid.I'll have to get my hands on the recording.

weepingforbrunnhilde (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

"For the first time, a hearing of this masterpiece has left me in tears, not of joy, but of excruciating pain."Wow. That's saying something.

MyrddinCO (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I've always been a bit ambivalent about Abbado's conducting... until I listened to this performance of one of my most cherished favorite musical works. I'm no longer ambivalent.To paraphrase a newly well-known British author, he should be set lines: "I am a conductor, not a baboon brandishing a stick."For the first time, a hearing of this masterpiece has left me in tears, not of joy, but of excruciating pain.

nibelungensohn (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Abbado is usually not very inspired, but in this Mahler 2 I have to admit he moved me to tears. A super orchestra too.