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99 of 103 people found the following review helpful
All Rattle's Mahler to date, boxed up robustly and with text and translations included in the booklet. I noted a slight error on the box, in so far as the First Symphony is not listed as being 'live' which it clearly is. In fact if this set has a definite weak spot, it is that very recording of Mahler's First Symphony. His first symphonic work, Das Klagende Lied, goes very well, however.
A strong contender for the best Mahler set, at budget price, with exemplary recrdings of Nos 2, 5, 7, 8 and 10; very good versions of 4, 6 and 9 (worried only by variable sound ) and some satisfactory lieder from Keenlyside. Das Lied Von Der Erde is given a cool but effective performance with Hampson and Seiffert as soloists. Symphony No3, though magnificently played, doesn't really touch the heart and its adagio fails to touch the soul.
If you can afford to splash out, Kubelik (DG) provides greater warmth and more songlike lyricism, whilst Bernstein (DG) squeezes more emotion out of these works than anybody, though his Amsterdam Ninth is woeful. Deutsche Grammophon have carried most of the aces where Mahler's concerned, but EMI now offer very attractive competition at more affordable prices.
A strong contender for the best Mahler set, at budget price, with exemplary recrdings of Nos 2, 5, 7, 8 and 10; very good versions of 4, 6 and 9 (worried only by variable sound ) and some satisfactory lieder from Keenlyside. Das Lied Von Der Erde is given a cool but effective performance with Hampson and Seiffert as soloists. Symphony No3, though magnificently played, doesn't really touch the heart and its adagio fails to touch the soul.
If you can afford to splash out, Kubelik (DG) provides greater warmth and more songlike lyricism, whilst Bernstein (DG) squeezes more emotion out of these works than anybody, though his Amsterdam Ninth is woeful. Deutsche Grammophon have carried most of the aces where Mahler's concerned, but EMI now offer very attractive competition at more affordable prices.
56 of 62 people found the following review helpful
There are now several complete sets of Mahler Symphonies available, at prices which represent quite extraordinary value. Not long ago one would have paid the price here for a single major Mahler symphony, so by that standard this has to be an easy "must buy".
Rattle is the exceptional conductor of his generation, but as always with Mahler there are a plethora of ways of managing the biggest moments and few people are going to want to settle for a single conductor's perspective when so much variety is available so reasonably. Take for example the boldest discords in the opening movement of the Resurrection - Rattle typically draws the very best from the CBSO brass and you hear every note in glorious balance. But to me he then leaves much of the emotion hanging in the air by walking straight ahead without giving full space to one of Mahler's larger fermatas. I suspect virtually every Mahler set is going to have this type of minor concern, at one or another key point, for most listeners - so best not to expect every pause and rallentando to be paced as you prefer them. But time and again Rattle impresses - he has a remarkably fresh approach, there is flair evident in happy abundance, and he gets some wonderful playing from his musicians.
There are two issues here that you will want to want to think about before you press the "buy" button. One is that whilst this indubitably is a "Rattle" Mahler, there are three different orchestras involved. The Berlin Philharmonic do Nos 5 and 10, the Vienna Philharmonic do No 9, and the CBSO the other seven, Das Lied von der Erde and the song sets. For me this is no problem - while the CBSO in the 1990's (when most of these were recorded) were in the best form in the history of that orchestra, I am delighted to have the variety of sound provided by the two other orchestras. The second issue is the mixture of live and studio performances - about half of each. Again I am happy to have the variety, especially since in any case I would never want to settle for just a single conductor's view of this truly exceptional group of compositions.
EMI's booklet gives full texts for the symphonies and Das Lied von der Erde, but irritatingly omits the songs. But at this pice it is a pity to cavil - the set is a wonderful buy. I really doubt you will regret it.
Rattle is the exceptional conductor of his generation, but as always with Mahler there are a plethora of ways of managing the biggest moments and few people are going to want to settle for a single conductor's perspective when so much variety is available so reasonably. Take for example the boldest discords in the opening movement of the Resurrection - Rattle typically draws the very best from the CBSO brass and you hear every note in glorious balance. But to me he then leaves much of the emotion hanging in the air by walking straight ahead without giving full space to one of Mahler's larger fermatas. I suspect virtually every Mahler set is going to have this type of minor concern, at one or another key point, for most listeners - so best not to expect every pause and rallentando to be paced as you prefer them. But time and again Rattle impresses - he has a remarkably fresh approach, there is flair evident in happy abundance, and he gets some wonderful playing from his musicians.
There are two issues here that you will want to want to think about before you press the "buy" button. One is that whilst this indubitably is a "Rattle" Mahler, there are three different orchestras involved. The Berlin Philharmonic do Nos 5 and 10, the Vienna Philharmonic do No 9, and the CBSO the other seven, Das Lied von der Erde and the song sets. For me this is no problem - while the CBSO in the 1990's (when most of these were recorded) were in the best form in the history of that orchestra, I am delighted to have the variety of sound provided by the two other orchestras. The second issue is the mixture of live and studio performances - about half of each. Again I am happy to have the variety, especially since in any case I would never want to settle for just a single conductor's view of this truly exceptional group of compositions.
EMI's booklet gives full texts for the symphonies and Das Lied von der Erde, but irritatingly omits the songs. But at this pice it is a pity to cavil - the set is a wonderful buy. I really doubt you will regret it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
EMI have a treasure trove of great Mahler cycles - there's Tennstedt's rich, dark interpretation, Bertini's brighter and unaffected readings captured in fantastic sound, and Rattle's attention to detail and lightness. It won't be to all tastes - indeed I prefer a more 'beefy' orchestral sound in Mahler like Tennstedt produces. However, Rattle's interpretations never fail to engage. The highlight for me is the live 7th Symphony - the sound may be a tiny bit constricting but in my book this is one of the best versions of this elusive symphony. The 5th (Rattle's first concert as music director of the BPO I believe) is also really good. It doesn't plumb the emotional depths of a Tennstedt or Bernstein but it's a pretty clear-sighted reading that really takes wing in the horn-led Scherzo. The famous Adagietto sounds fresh and free of mannerism, if not quite as moving as Tennstedt's or Bertini's.
The 10th Symphony is justly praised and needs no further comment from me - it may not be the most earth-shattering version of the stand-alone Adagio movement but it's the best-realised version of the Cooke completion.
These are the highlights for me - the rest is a bit more variable in quality in my opinion, but I think you won't fail to find things that capture the imagination in each of these recordings.
The 10th Symphony is justly praised and needs no further comment from me - it may not be the most earth-shattering version of the stand-alone Adagio movement but it's the best-realised version of the Cooke completion.
These are the highlights for me - the rest is a bit more variable in quality in my opinion, but I think you won't fail to find things that capture the imagination in each of these recordings.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Do read this warning
I ignored several reviews which criticised EMI for their production standards - My mistake!
There are two problems:
1) The data tagging system used is not... Read more
There are two problems:
1) The data tagging system used is not... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Peter Williams
The Mahler complete Symphonies
This recording of the ten symphonies is superb Sir Simon Rattle does a fine job of leading both The Birmingham Symphonie Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic through the vast tone... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Andrew Burton-Fullick
Good overall
Any collection of Mahler's music is going to have a difficult job in maintaining a consistently high standard. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Rf And Tm Walters
Present
not sure yet whether the cds are up to Simons high std as these were bought as a present and has not been fed back yet
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Paul Dexter
Fantastic value and gorgeous sound
This is a terrific bargain for anyone wanting to explore Mahler's wonderful symphonies - worth it alone for the magnificent interpretation of Mahler 10 which was BBC Radio 3's... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ektor
wrong CDs in collection
Found CD12 is actually supplied as a different version of Symphony 9 with different orchestra to the one advertised and a bit of Strauss - whole set ends up missing second... Read more
Published 14 months ago by peter
Absolutely wonderful.
When purchasing complete box sets of the Mahler symphonies, I personally feel, that it can only be a complete survey if it includes the utterly sublime Das Lied Von Der Erde (it... Read more
Published 16 months ago by km.ord
A warning
I have wanted the Rattle CDs for a long time. For a month I revelled in this set. Then, one by one, the CDs developed faults. They are now unplayable. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Charles
Andante in the 6th in the wrong place?
I have been a Mahler fan for over thirty years and grew up with Karajan recordings and have practically memorised his 6th and worn out the vinyl. Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2009 by WHITLAM
Excellent
I am not capable of going into detail about the performances but I can say that I find this a superb collection. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2009 by P. Bridle
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