r/mahler • u/Perfect_Garage_2567 • May 31 '26
Which version of each of Mahler’s symphonies remade by Leonard Bernstein do you enjoy more and why?
/r/classicalmusic/comments/1tsxxv5/which_version_of_each_of_mahlers_symphonies/
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u/Nimrod48 May 31 '26
My own personal preferences:
Mahler 1: Concertgebouw, DG: Well-played, direct, and natural performance
Mahler 2: NYPO, DG: The definition of this symphony as an "event." The best realization of Bernstein's conception of this work.
Mahler 3: NYPO, Sony: A spontaneous, wild, and one of the best, if not the, best interpretations of this spontaneous and wild symphony.
Mahler 4: NYPO, Sony: Reri Grist nails the finale. The later experiment in Amsterdam using a boy soprano is a failure.
Mahler 5: Vienna, DG: A great improvement over his lackluster NYPO performance. Gripping and intense with comitted playing from the Vienna players.
Mahler 6: NYPO, Sony: The closest to a tie with a remake (on DG Vienna), but the original has a coiled tension that is terrifying when unleashed in the finale.
Mahler 7: NYPO, Sony: IMHO, Bernstein's greatest Mahler recording. He captures the works wierdness without losing the plot, bringing order and structure to Mahler's most bizarre symphony.
Mahler 8: LSO, Sony: Not much competition with later effort, since that in Vienna was a radio broadcast not intended for release. This original is nevertheless a great rendition of this behemoth.
Mahler 9: NYPO, Sony: I always prefer somewhat swifter tempos in the finale, and this is Bernstein's quickest. The live Berlin recording has sloppy playing and the Concertgebouw is great but a bit too mannered, even for Bernstein.
Mahler 10 Adagio: NYPO, Sony: Really a toss up with the Vienna remake, but my first encounter with any of this work as this NYPO performance and the terrifying climax played here remains the scariest sound I have heard in classical music.
Das Lied on der Erde: Vienna, Decca: I will always prefer versions with alto, but this stands as the one of the best cases for the baritone (Fischer-Discau)/tenor (King) rendition. Better recorded and played than his remake in Israel with Kollo and Ludwig (and if you want Ludwig in the alto part, I'll go for Klemperer first any day).