I really love HvK here. He really seemed to get the biting irony in III, and his Berlin Phil in full cry was something to behold.
Haitink Mahler 5 on DECCA Pure Analog
Almost bought this but figured I ask if anyone has heard this reissue.
From product notes…
For this release Rainer Maillard at Emil Berliner Studios has used the original, four-track quadraphonic master tape to make a new stereo mix sent directly to the cutter head. This preserves a pure analogue path throughout. The Philips engineers of the 1970s would similarly have mixed the four front and rear channels before cutting but this downmix would have resulted in a two-track stereo copy for mastering, whereas here the lacquer is cut directly from a ’live’ mix into stereo from the four Quad channels.
Any feedback on the quality of recording and vinyl?
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I was going to suggest Klaus Makela with the Orchestre du Paris, recorded live in 2022. I bought the vinyl and CD in the same order, but the vinyl was so badly damaged by Decca’s new inner liners that I complained, got my money back and promised to scrap the vinyl. Now it looks as if the vinyl has been deleted from the catalogue - maybe while Decca gets less destructive liners. Universal Music Group strikes again |
There is a recent alpha Mahler 5 (on vinyl as well as digital) which has won international awards. The BBC Magazine review included
Did you end up buying Mahler 7 from alpha? |
@richardbrand no not yet. I have it on my list to listen in its entirety |
I own an exceptionally quiet version of the original Philips Mahler 5th box set and now the same performance remastered on the Decca Pure Analogue I strongly prefer the original mastering. The Decca is all dynamics, and bluster but seems much less musical and engaging to me. Bigger isn't always better. |
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