In most cases, four discs provide more than enough space to give a representative sample of a composer's work. But it's a tight squeeze for Gustav Mahler's exceptionally long masterpieces, and this box set barely holds the shorter Symphonies Nos. 1, 5 and 9, and the vocal works Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen and Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Taken from recordings made in 1987 and 1990, the set is a combination of good performances by five conductors and four orchestras, previously released in different configurations on earlier ...
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In most cases, four discs provide more than enough space to give a representative sample of a composer's work. But it's a tight squeeze for Gustav Mahler's exceptionally long masterpieces, and this box set barely holds the shorter Symphonies Nos. 1, 5 and 9, and the vocal works Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen and Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Taken from recordings made in 1987 and 1990, the set is a combination of good performances by five conductors and four orchestras, previously released in different configurations on earlier Virgin albums. This amounts to a glorified collection of "Mahler's Greatest Hits," if his vast works could ever be reduced to that; but, thankfully, the symphonies and song cycles are presented complete, and the readings by Libor Pesek, Andrew Litton, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, David Litton, and Sir Charles Mackerras are respectable renditions. Fine as a starter kit for budding Mahlerians but a little uncompelling for experienced listeners, this compilation offers no amazing high points or...
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Add this copy of Mahler: Symphonies # 1, 5 & 9, Des Knaben Wunderhorn, to cart. $32.93, very good condition, Sold by PaceSetter Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Saint Charles, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by EMI Classics.
