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Discussion: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 - Mácal

Posts: 8

Post by sylvian May 27, 2009 (1 of 8)
I had recently the opportunity to buy the 3CD japanese set of double SA-CD/DVD-A version. IMHO, this performance and sonics will remain unsurpassed for a long while. I am not a patriot, so I see every release of Czech Philharmony very critically because I have witnessed many live performances of various concerts exucted very poorly. And Macal also does not belong amongst my favorable conductors. Therefore it was a surprise to me to hear such marvellous recording of one of my most beloved symphonies!

Post by akiralx May 28, 2009 (2 of 8)
Yes, Macal's Mahler does get good reviews on the Mahler forum I visit, but I've been disappointed with the Dvorak SACDs he's conducted so haven't risked these.

The question is whether this is better than the excellent Exton Czech PO Mahler 3 under Kobayashi, which I do have and like very much. Certainly the conductor's vocalise is kept under control...

Post by terence May 28, 2009 (3 of 8)
i am wondering why this appears to be multichannel while the 7th seems stereo only?!

Post by terence May 30, 2009 (4 of 8)
quite good review of the SEVENTH in new gramophone, acknowledging it's SACD but not saying whether it's stereo only or also multichannel.

Post by Mahler-fan December 14, 2012 (5 of 8)
I've always had the feeling this Exton disc is bass-heavy in 5.1. Seems unnatural to me.
The low frequency content is that much stronger in the MC layer compared to the stereo, that one must conclude that or the 5.1 is to much, or to little of the bass has been mixed into the Stereo.

Any comments on this by other people who own this disc.

I was also disappointed by another Exton 5.1 disc (Mahler III and VII - Macal) due to unnatural balance (I remember pizzicato's being significantly louder than in any other recording of the same piece I have). At the other hand, I'm very pleased with the Stereo-only discs I have from this source (Suk/Dvorak by Macal and Mahler I - Honeck).

Post by hiredfox December 16, 2012 (6 of 8)
Macal is quite reliable on most repertory without ever hitting the heights so although we have quite a number of discs of his we did not succumb to the Mahler series which in retrospect was a kind of judgement that we didn't believe he could bring much more to the party. Maybe we were wrong but we have so much Mahler on SACD that it is doubtful we need to explore further.

Chailly's 3rd surely is still the benchmark and beautifully recorded by Decca in DSD. Those were the days indeed!

Post by Mahler-fan December 17, 2012 (7 of 8)
Mahler-fan said:

I've always had the feeling this Exton disc is bass-heavy in 5.1. Seems unnatural to me.
The low frequency content is that much stronger in the MC layer compared to the stereo, that one must conclude that or the 5.1 is to much, or to little of the bass has been mixed into the Stereo.

Any comments on this by other people who own this disc.

I was also disappointed by another Exton 5.1 disc (Mahler III and VII - Macal) due to unnatural balance (I remember pizzicato's being significantly louder than in any other recording of the same piece I have). At the other hand, I'm very pleased with the Stereo-only discs I have from this source (Suk/Dvorak by Macal and Mahler I - Honeck).

"I was also disappointed by another Exton 5.1 disc (Mahler III and VII - Macal)"

should be "Dvorak III and VII", my mistake.

Post by sylvian December 17, 2012 (8 of 8)
I have always felt Macal being incompetent for playing Dvorak even with stellar orchestra. But for those two 3-disc edition of the 3rd and 6th by Mahler (double |SA-CD|+DVD-Audio) you can easily decide which is better done? I prefer Macal over Chially, because the first disc of the 3rd done by Decca is somewhat slower and muddier than the second disc (by decca). Also Macal 6th rendition is far superior to his other rivals on SA-CD. And Macal is not my favourite conductor.

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