Search - Gustav Mahler, Harold Farberman, London Symphony Orchestra :: Mahler: Symphony No.6

Powerhouse

Philip A. Kraus | Chicago, IL United States | 11/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Faberman's nearly unknown recording of the Mahler 6 is among my top 5 favorite recordings of the work (the others being Sinopoli, Leinsdorf, Barbirolli, and Horenstein). Among all of them it is probably the most massive in power. Tempi are on the slow side but feel urgent all the same. The LSO plays brilliantly and Farberman (being a percussionist) really brings out the color in the score from the percussion section. The hammer blows are more effective than on any other recording.

Recorded sound is demonstration class in my opinion. Add to the fact that this is a budget CD, it is an unbelievable bargain.

According to Amazon it's out of print. Grab a copy any way you can!"

Among the finest accounts of the sixth

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 09/02/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Harold Farberman is yet another quite "unknown" but distinguished Mahler conductor (others are Herbert Kegel and Günther Herbig). And this recording is probably his very best - it can compared with the finest and most compelling accounts of the sixth that currently are available, e.g., Barbirolli's (EMI), Sanderling's (RS), Mitropoulos' (EMI), and Horenstein's (Unicorn-Kanchana), to name a few. Although not as good as these alternatives it is nonetheless a recording that should not be overlooked.



In the first movement, Farberman keeps a firm balance throughout, not letting the extremes take over. The brass plays excellent. Second movement is a nice contrast, which attention to details rarely observed. Third movement is very good, keeping the tension of the work as a whole while being lovely played. Fourth movement opens as spooky as it should. Hammerblows are good, not overkills. And Farberman holds the whole long movement together as in one breath.



Recording quality is satisfactory, even if not outstanding. And the orchestra is giving its very best. Recommended.

"

Among The Best

Neal Stevens | Greensboro, NC | 02/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I currently own many recordings of this symphony, including the Barbirolli and Horenstein that other reviewers here deservedly rank so highly. The Bernstein on Columbia (my copy comes with a superb rendition of the Mahler 8th) is also a great performance in very good sound. George Szell's recording for Columbia/Sony is also excellent. The Farberman recording ranks right up there with the best. My favorite aspect of this recording is the way that this thing images. There is a real sense of a soundstage. And the recording is very clear, not overwhelmed by reverb as are many recordings that are made at enough distance to impart a sense of stage."