Search - Gustav Mahler, Edward Elgar, Otto Klemperer :: Mahler: Resurrection Symphony

Classic performance

Wayne A. | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 10/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just needed to post this to get this recording out of one-star hell. It exists precisely because it is of historical interest and for those who buy these gems, the sound quality is secondary. Many feel it's one of the best performances of this symphony ever committed to record--this is Klemperer, with the near-flawless mid-Fifties Concertgebouw, and Kathleen Ferrier. All in all the perfect combo for this symphony.



I think it's sad that here on Amazon, dilettantes, upset that their bargain purchase of a classic archival recording didn't yield a stereo blockbuster, have to show disrespect to great artists with inappropriate bad reviews. It's seen too often (I'm seeing it more often, actually) and it's vaguely like giving a bad review to a Buster Keaton movie because it doesn't have enough funny dialogue.



If you are looking for a recording of this symphony (or any other classical music) and don't have much experience picking recordings pay close attention to recording dates and read reviews of older recordings to understand why so many people treasure them, even if they don't have state-of-the-art sound."

Great Historical Recording

R. F. Lacey | 02/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree totally with WTA. This recording, like many others, can be fully appreciated and enjoyed despite the limitations of the recording technology of its time. It is a great performance."

Not a classic

unhappy buyer | 04/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not a classic performance. This is the greatest performance ever recorded of the Ressurrection Symphony. Yep, the sound quality is awful, taken from a recording of a radio broadcast, but that's not the point. The point is that Klemperer, the orchestra, and Ferrier are all in top form, and that is something out of this world.



Most critics stress Ferrier's superb contribution as the high point, but I prefer the first movement. The name Mahler gave the first movement of the symphony translates "as the passage of the dead", usually said as "the march of the dead" as it is in march tempo. A reviewer of the original performance described as 'you could see the shrouded dead marching down the fog bound deserted streets of the city.' Last time I counted, I had 15 recordings of this symphony, and there is nothing like Otto's first movement.



You really need two recording s of this work, a good modern digital one (Chailly on Decca or Boulez on DGG or Tilson-Thomas on SFO) to here how it sounds, and this one by Otto to hear how it ought to be done.



Back to sound quality, the lp from 25-30 years ago is smoother, definitely preferable to the transfer to CD, but good luck finding a copy.



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