review by Grady Harpby Anonymous
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August 05, 2007:
While I agree with the enthusiasm expressed for the music and performance I am puzzled by the statement that the work is "only mono". I and others I know and whose judgement I trust recognize this as not only a stereo recording but a very fine example of the stereo recording technique known as Blumlein stereo, which uses a pair of identical microphones and provides precise localization of sound upon playback. Buy with confidence that you will hear first class stereo. Tedr
Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand: An Introduction by Jascha Horensteinby Anonymous
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March 18, 2006:
For those who love Mahler and have fallen under the spell of his many great works, this re-mastered release from BBC of the historically important 1959 live performance of the Mahler Symphony No. 8 as conducted by Jascha Horenstein with the London Symphony Orchestra will come as a revelation. The complexities of the 'Symphony of a Thousand' have perplexed many a great conductor and even though there are increasing numbers of avialable recordings of this mighty work, there really isn't a 'perfect' reading. Horenstein, conducting the work for the first time on this recording (!), intuitively knew how to make it make sense musically without depriving the work of its many moments of at times disjointed mystery and exaltation. Horenstein is joined by the BBC Choral Society, BBC Symphony Chorus, the Goldsmith's Choral Union, the Orpington Junior Singers along with the many soloists including Alfred Orda, Arnold van Mill, Kerstin Meyer, Helen Watts, Joyce Barker and Agnes Giebel. From the opening 'Veni Creator Spiritus' to the closing rapture of the Goethe scene, this is a performance that is simply staggeringly dramatic and beautiful. The recorded sound though only in mono is so fine that it stands well in the technical arena of today's science. Horenstein's Mahler No. 8 must be heard to fully appreciate this great work. It is a revelation, a performance that makes the work seem to last far less than the hour plus it occupies on paper and in the halls. Words fail, except to encourage purchasing this wondrous recording. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp
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