So glad these Vox reissues are coming out, and that you are reviewing them! I’d previously only known Abravanel through his Mahler recordings, but what I’ve heard of his Tchaikovsky so far is great. I’d rather hear an interpretively exciting performance rather than something bland from a great orchestra, so the Utah Symphony will do quite nicely for me.
If I remember correctly, many of Abravanel's Mahler discs benefit from the acoustic space of the Mormon Tabernacle. I like the cycle quite a bit, but due to the many shortcomings of the orchestra, it just doesn't hold up well to the much better cycles of Bernstein, Haitink, Kubelik, etc. Still, I'm glad to have it. Abravanel was a fine interpreter of Mahler's music, as well as Tchaikovsky and Sibelius. I just find myself wishing he'd been standing in front of a better orchestra.
Abravanel was usually just under the radar in the era of the Big Five, but I was usually avid about his recordings and collected quite a few of his LPs. I'm happy that Vox is reissuing him. In my reading, here and there, I've found some anecdotes about him and gathered that he was well-respected in modern music circles. I'm glad you're focusing on him.
Thank you very, very much for your enthusiasm for "Manfred" - which I consider one of the greatest symphonic works ever composed: Mahler avant la lettre!! My favorite "Manfred" to date has been Ahronovich - I love the freedom of his tempi!
This was thrilling to hear! Mainly, I have a vivid memory of purchasing this as a volume of Vox Box 3-record-set as a kid! I was on a bus, headed to my favorite record store when a total stranger from Alberta Canada started a conversation with me and ended it by giving me a $5 bill for lunch. Naturally, I starved myself to death as soon as I got into the record store then happened to meet the same lady on my way home. I remember she enthusiastically said, "Oh! You bought a record!" in a charming British accent (I guess they talk that way in Alberta, Canada). I was happy she didn't ask me about lunch, but your review makes me salivate to purchase the newly created Naxos versions. This reminds me of that previous "miracle" where I ended up with the Igor Markevitch recording of Beethoven's 5th during under virtually the same circumstances. Seems some kind of guardian angel kept supplying me with great recordings unbeknownst to me. There was something about this relatively scrawny orchestra that would at times be more pleasing than my other Vienna Philharmonic records. I love these reviews -- thank you so much for creating them!
Thanks Dave. I wouldn't notice these reissues if you weren't reviewing them. I'm very happy these are being issued and feel like i should show support and buy them. But what i really hope for is silvestri to be made available.
Dave, back in the day you hated on Markevitch's Manfred, then you said you changed your mind and warmed up to it. Now I guess you have decided you don't like it so much again. What gives? I still think it's overall the best. But no doubt, Abravanel and his band gave all they had, and that recording is a great achievement.
So I have a bunch of Manfred's..and I mean a BUNCH :)...most of course as part of all of the famous Symphony cycles. Dave, on your Manfred video way back when, this didn't get a mention. If you were to redo the Manfred talk, would it get included?
Sure. There are just so many "almost" great Manfreds, and saw no need to mention all of them. Hearing this anew reminded me of just how great an interpretation it is.
@@DavesClassicalGuide and in your defense. You stress this so much on both your videos and on classics today. I for one love the piece. Again. I am FAR from an expert on this stuff, but I spent multiple hours today listening to multiple manfreds. This is just so much fun. If you can carve out the time. The great challenge. Right??
I noticed the fallibilities of the orchestra that you mentioned, David. But it is indeed a great performance. I wish Tchaikovsky didn’t rely so much on that dreadful Manfred theme. He did vary it here and there. Still, after hearing Manfred, that theme is all I hear in memory.
@@DavesClassicalGuideI went to your vid on the best “Manfred” Symphony and you commented on the Manfred theme, “Maybe he just captured him too well, and it keeps coming back”. Also, while I listened to Abravanel’s I thought it was a piece Maazel could sink his teeth into. I’ll have to check out Jurowski’s.
I have several Manfreds, including the Abravanel. While some of the brass and wind playing can make me grimace, it's quite good. But I wonder what's wrong with Markevitch and Muti, not to mention several others.
I was listening at 15:30 of the last movement (5th bar of letter V). I will partially recant: I do hear organ in the second phrase (21st bar of V), but practically none in the first - only orchestra winds, so if the organ is playing it's pretty well hidden. So I guess my beef is one of balance. Correct or not, usually only the organ (or at least mostly organ) is heard in that first phrase - that's the case in most of the recordings I listened to (Rozhdestvensky, Thomas, Silvestri/Radio France, Silvestri/Philadelphia, Goossens, Svetlanov). A more equitable balance between organ and orchestra is heard in Muti and to a lesser extent, Toscanini. Abravanel's organ lacks any weight and thus the sequence is deprived of the gravitas it needs. Otherwise, of course, it's a fantastic performance.
So glad these Vox reissues are coming out, and that you are reviewing them! I’d previously only known Abravanel through his Mahler recordings, but what I’ve heard of his Tchaikovsky so far is great. I’d rather hear an interpretively exciting performance rather than something bland from a great orchestra, so the Utah Symphony will do quite nicely for me.
Couldn't agree more!
If I remember correctly, many of Abravanel's Mahler discs benefit from the acoustic space of the Mormon Tabernacle. I like the cycle quite a bit, but due to the many shortcomings of the orchestra, it just doesn't hold up well to the much better cycles of Bernstein, Haitink, Kubelik, etc. Still, I'm glad to have it. Abravanel was a fine interpreter of Mahler's music, as well as Tchaikovsky and Sibelius. I just find myself wishing he'd been standing in front of a better orchestra.
Abravanel was usually just under the radar in the era of the Big Five, but I was usually avid about his recordings and collected quite a few of his LPs. I'm happy that Vox is reissuing him. In my reading, here and there, I've found some anecdotes about him and gathered that he was well-respected in modern music circles. I'm glad you're focusing on him.
This performance was my introduction to Manfred. I bought it on the Candide label for $1.98 from my University bookstore. Loved it immediately.
Thank you very, very much for your enthusiasm for "Manfred" - which I consider one of the greatest symphonic works ever composed: Mahler avant la lettre!! My favorite "Manfred" to date has been Ahronovich - I love the freedom of his tempi!
This was thrilling to hear! Mainly, I have a vivid memory of purchasing this as a volume of Vox Box 3-record-set as a kid! I was on a bus, headed to my favorite record store when a total stranger from Alberta Canada started a conversation with me and ended it by giving me a $5 bill for lunch. Naturally, I starved myself to death as soon as I got into the record store then happened to meet the same lady on my way home. I remember she enthusiastically said, "Oh! You bought a record!" in a charming British accent (I guess they talk that way in Alberta, Canada). I was happy she didn't ask me about lunch, but your review makes me salivate to purchase the newly created Naxos versions. This reminds me of that previous "miracle" where I ended up with the Igor Markevitch recording of Beethoven's 5th during under virtually the same circumstances. Seems some kind of guardian angel kept supplying me with great recordings unbeknownst to me. There was something about this relatively scrawny orchestra that would at times be more pleasing than my other Vienna Philharmonic records. I love these reviews -- thank you so much for creating them!
Thanks Dave. I wouldn't notice these reissues if you weren't reviewing them. I'm very happy these are being issued and feel like i should show support and buy them. But what i really hope for is silvestri to be made available.
Dave, back in the day you hated on Markevitch's Manfred, then you said you changed your mind and warmed up to it. Now I guess you have decided you don't like it so much again. What gives?
I still think it's overall the best. But no doubt, Abravanel and his band gave all they had, and that recording is a great achievement.
So I have a bunch of Manfred's..and I mean a BUNCH :)...most of course as part of all of the famous Symphony cycles. Dave, on your Manfred video way back when, this didn't get a mention. If you were to redo the Manfred talk, would it get included?
Sure. There are just so many "almost" great Manfreds, and saw no need to mention all of them. Hearing this anew reminded me of just how great an interpretation it is.
@@DavesClassicalGuide and in your defense. You stress this so much on both your videos and on classics today. I for one love the piece. Again. I am FAR from an expert on this stuff, but I spent multiple hours today listening to multiple manfreds. This is just so much fun. If you can carve out the time. The great challenge. Right??
I noticed the fallibilities of the orchestra that you mentioned, David. But it is indeed a great performance. I wish Tchaikovsky didn’t rely so much on that dreadful Manfred theme. He did vary it here and there. Still, after hearing Manfred, that theme is all I hear in memory.
Then it's a powerful theme...maybe unfortunately! I think it's kind of glum and ugly too, but I guess that's the point.
@@DavesClassicalGuideI went to your vid on the best “Manfred” Symphony and you commented on the Manfred theme, “Maybe he just captured him too well, and it keeps coming back”. Also, while I listened to Abravanel’s I thought it was a piece Maazel could sink his teeth into. I’ll have to check out Jurowski’s.
So happy to see this back.
I hope a new generation will discover these wonderful recordings.
Thanks for getting the word to the masses 👍
Thanks for that recommendation - I shall seek it out.
I have several Manfreds, including the Abravanel. While some of the brass and wind playing can make me grimace, it's quite good. But I wonder what's wrong with Markevitch and Muti, not to mention several others.
I can't remember if Dave reviewed it or not, but the Naxos recording is excellent. Definitely will give the Abrevenal a listen.
It's a great performance.......but no organ! Boooo!
Yes, it does have an organ, and it sounds great. I'm not sure what you were listening to.
I was listening at 15:30 of the last movement (5th bar of letter V). I will partially recant: I do hear organ in the second phrase (21st bar of V), but practically none in the first - only orchestra winds, so if the organ is playing it's pretty well hidden. So I guess my beef is one of balance. Correct or not, usually only the organ (or at least mostly organ) is heard in that first phrase - that's the case in most of the recordings I listened to (Rozhdestvensky, Thomas, Silvestri/Radio France, Silvestri/Philadelphia, Goossens, Svetlanov). A more equitable balance between organ and orchestra is heard in Muti and to a lesser extent, Toscanini. Abravanel's organ lacks any weight and thus the sequence is deprived of the gravitas it needs. Otherwise, of course, it's a fantastic performance.
Sounds almost Scriabin orgasmic! Must hear it now...!!