I believe these are wonderful performances but the sonics are demonstration quality. It’s like Mahler composed and orchestrated these symphonies with audiophiles in mind. They allow the all the sonic attributes of our systems to shine.
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I’m not familiar with Chailly and the Concertgebouw’s recordings of the Mahler symphonies, but I agree with you about your comment on the pieces’ audiophile potential. I have several that are wonderfully fun to listen to, including a DG SACD of the 2nd performed by Kaplan and the Vienna.
I find that an effective test of systems is not small group or solo recordings but large, complex works that really challenge the system.
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So true. Such gloriously complex music, with so many textures and colors and interweaving themes. I’ll have to go listen to some of the Chailly performances, but I would offer up a further suggestion: Ivan Fischer’s performances with the Budapest Festival Orchestra on Channel Classics. Recording engineer Jared Sacks does amazing work with these recordings. An excellent starting point would be the DSD256 recording of Das Lied von der Erde (here):
Earlier recordings in Fischer’s Mahler series are recorded in DSD64, but the engineering and the way the orchestra is captured in the recording are all top notch. As are the performances.
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They really are wonderful recordings. The performances offer something quite different from the Mainstream and can get quite quirky, but you always get where Chailly is going. As for the demonstration quality audio, I couldn’t agree more. A remarkably sensitive orchestra in an even more sensitive hall, beautifully captured.
I’ve been a fan the RCO for many years and as Michael notes above, their hall is a wonderful sounding venue. The RCO has a series of box sets that are worth seeking out featuring great performances over the decades. I have sets 4, 5, & 6 and recommend them highly.
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