Search - Gustav Mahler (Composer), Eliahu Inbal (Conductor), Helen Donath (Soprano) :: Gustav Mahler: Symphonies 1-10 / Das Lied von der Erde - Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Eliahu Inbal

Consistent and very rewarding cycle

Pater Ecstaticus | Norway | 10/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"(Notabene: this is a review of Symphony 1 to 9 + Adagio from the Tenth and das Lied von der Erde as they appeared in a 16 CD box-set issued in 1988 by Denon CO-72589-604) The fact that this set of recordings sounds so very consistent is actually not so surprising when we know that all of the symphonies (not including Das Lied von der Erde, which was recorded about one and a half years after the other recordings) were recorded within the time-span of less than two years, from februari 1985 to october 1986.

The origin of this consistency is also better understood when we read what Eliahu Inbal himself has to say, as quoted in a selection of his comments on Mahler at the beginning of the booklet: "For me, Mahler's symphonies are a unity, one gigantic symphony in eleven movements, better still a single great novel with eleven chapters [...]". Now, each of these chapters are here unfolding in a gratifyingly natural and flowing manner.

As we place all of these performances together, we hear a conductor with a rather no-nonsense attitude (though maybe sometimes just a little under-characterized) towards this music, and who lets the music speak mainly for itself. But at the same time Eliahu Inbal does allow for the banal or the ugly or the folksy to appear whenever Mahler asks for it. Inbal does not underplay (too much of) the extremes in favour of making just 'beautiful' music, which surely often it isn't. This conductor in my view first and foremost underlines the need for truthfulness towards Mahler's notes, as witnessed in these recordings. Truthfulness is sine qua non for greatness, and this cycle may indeed be a good deal on the way to deserve being called 'great', which it may not actually be, but it can surely be put upon a par with the best of Mahler cycles out there. Generally speaking, I think that Eliahu Inbal and the Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt most of the time give us everything we want in Mahler and often some extra.

I personally think that Symphonies No. 4 (special praise to Helen Donath), 5 (truly magnificent brass) and 7 are the great triumphs of this cycle. But all the other symphonies are given very satisfying readings as well, for a great deal helped by the beautifully natural and crystalline soundpicture with the right amount of air around the instruments.

Also, the booklet notes for each of the symphonies, written by Yasuhiko Mori, are nicely detailed and insightful. Very rewarding indeed, all this!"

One of the best cycles available

Ytzan | Athens, GR | 01/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is so much Mahler available today. There is so difficult to identify a single interpretation as the best available, let alone a complete set. Inbal's is a complete cycle, including No 10 and Das Lied. The Frankfurt Orchestra is really impressive in every single work and most of the symphonies are up there with the very best. My favourites are Nos 3 and 7 which are fresh and very well played, especially No 7 which Inbal succeeds to deliver a very compelling performance. The only work that may not get 4 or 5 stars would be the Song simpy because the final movement is drier, less passionate than most alternatives. The price of the set make it very competitive too. If interested in individual releases Horenstein's 1,3 and 6 for Unicorn are unbeatable. Resurrection and 10th = Sir Simon, Szell and the Cleveland Orchesta in 4, Berstein in 5th (DG), 7th (Sony) and 9th (BPO, DG). Solti is great at 8th while Ferrier and Walter can not be surpassed in Das Lied...."

At this price, there are better alternatives*

JJA Kiefte | Tegelen, Nederland | 06/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This cycle first appeared in the eighties on Denon, a frightfully expensive label (I bought the Ninth in 1988 when still at school. It all but depleted my pocket money for three months or so). Lo and behold then that a Dutch drugstore chain reissued it at an unbelievable price some years ago. While most recordings are very satisfactory, such as, indeed, the Ninth and a dramatic Fifth (with a very effective first movement) the Sixth, Seventh and Third are, in comparison, okay but not great. I hasten to add that nowhere the technical execution is at fault (as it is with Emil Tabakov & Sophia SO on Cappricio, also a budget set) but it just seems that Inbal's heart wasn't really in them. An alternative might be Bertini on EMI (also at budget price) or Gielen on Hänssler (which will put a greater dent in your wallet), but it is still good to have in one's collection.

*since I wrote this review the price has dramatically risen. At this price it may no longer be the alternative it once was (2 November 2009)!"