Mahler: The Complete Works [Import]

It was bound to happen sooner or later: pretty much everything known by Mahler put into one box (16 cd's). Of course, one could argue endlessly about what performances of the various symphonies EMI could have/should have chosen. But what this set has going for it are a series of outstanding renditions of the various song cycles and vocal works. In addition to having the Thomas Hampson/Wolfram Rieger (piano) "Five Ruckert Songs", disc 16 gives us a survey of numerous "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" performances - possibly THE most gorgeous orchestral song ever composed - captured by EMI over the years. That list includes Janet Baker, Christa Ludwig (twice), D. Fischer-Dieskau, Thomas Allen, Brigitte Fassbaender, and Katarina Karneus. But rather than yack on and on, I'll simply leave you a list of what this box contains.

CD 1 - "Das Klagende Lied". Simon Rattle/C.B.S.O., 1983/84
Piano Quartet movement. Domus, 1988

CD 2 - "Songs Of A Wayfarer". D. Fischer-Dieskau/Furtwaengler/Philharmonia, 1952
Symphony #1. Giulini/Chicago Symphony, 1971

CD 3 - Symphony #2. Klemperer/Philharmonia (studio version), 1961

CD 4 - Three Early Songs. Ian Bostridge/A. Pappano (piano), 2010
14 "Lieder & Gesaenge". Sung by var. big names from EMI catalog.
Symphony #3, Mvt. 1. Rattle/C.B.S.O./Birgirt Remmert (mezzo), 1997

CD 5 - Sym. #3, Mvts. II - VI. Rattle/CBSO.
"Blumine". P. Jarvi/Frankfurt R.S.O., 2009

CD 6 - Sym. #4. Horenstein/L.P.O./M. Price (sop), 1970

CD 7 - Sym. #5. K. Tennstedt/L.P.O. - "live", 1988

CD 8 - "Kindertotenlieder". K. Ferrier/B. Walter/V.P.O., 1949
"Five Ruckert Lieder". J. Baker/Barbirolli/New Phil., 1969
Sym. #6, Mvt. I. J. Barbirolli/New Philharmonia, 1967

CD 9 - Sym. #6, Mvts. II - IV. Barbirolli/New Phil., 1967

CD 10 - Sym. #7. Rattle/C.B.S.O., 1991 (Aldeburgh Festival)

CD 11 - "Des Knaben Wunderhorn". Schwarzkopf/Fischer-Dieskau/G.Szell/L.S.O., 1968
Sym. #8, Part I. Tennstedt/L.P.O., 1986

CD 12 - Sym. #8, Part II. Tennstedt/L.P.O., 1986

CD 13 - "Das Lied von der Erde". C. Ludwig/Wunderlich/Klemperer/Phil., 1966

CD 14 - Sym. #9. Barbirolli/Berlin Phil., 1964

CD 15 - Sym. #10. S. Rattle/Berlin Phil., 1999

CD 16 - "Bonus CD", as described above.

Needless to say, this set captures many of the biggest names in the Mahler "biz" ever: Barbirolli; Horenstein; Furtwaengler (his one and only studio recording of Mahler); Bruno Walter; Kathleen Ferrier; Klaus Tennstedt; Simon Rattle (opinions vary, but they chose some of his better work here); Janet Baker; Christa Ludwig; D. Fischer-Dieskau; Brigitte Fassbaender; C.M. Giulini; Chicago Symphony (caputred in the Medinah Temple); Berlin Phil.; Philharmonia Orch. (the Walter Legge years); E. Schwarzkopf; the incomparable Fritz Wunderlich ("DLvdE") - the list goes on, so most of this set is pretty much self recommending. Even if you already own some Mahler, if you don't have many of these performances, you probably ought to indulge yourself with this set.

No one need be reminded that we're in the middle of summer and an economic recession. But when the holidays roll around, few things will say "Merry Christmas" better to music lovers than this box. Ponder that thought. It's better than yet another "La Boheme" or Beethoven cycle, not to mention Lady Gaga.

EMI and DG--which also drew on the catalogues of Decca and Philips--have each produced complete-edition boxed sets to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Mahler's birth. One set seems like an inexhaustible treasure trove; the other one is more like a mere assemblage of all of Mahler's music. Despite its boasting some outstanding performances (Karajan's live Ninth and Haitink's 1966 Third are two of them, while Solti's Eighth and Bernstein's Fifth definitely are NOT), I can't imagine recommending the DG set over this edition. It's not only that many of the performances in the EMI set are among the very best of the specific works they represent, but also that the whole set has been so thoughtfully and sensitively put together. This really is a case of the sum being greater than its parts, and more valuable than any of EMI's single-conductor boxed sets in representing both the breadth of the composer's expressiveness and the interpretive possibilities inherent in his scores.

Both above reviews are right on. Both this EMI set and the DG compilation are admirable in almost every respect and any complete "Mahlerite" will probably want both sets, regardless of whether or not they have most of the recordings in other sets or configurations.

Is every recording my most-favorite of each work? Certainly not! But I am sure neither company could secure(or wanted to)the rights to Walter's magnificent 1938 Ninth with Vienna. Perhaps the Klemperer over the Barbirolli in the Ninth? But no disputing Barbirolli's Sixth is stupendous, to say the least. Klemperer's Fourth with Schwarzkopf would have been nice..... see what I mean? Joys and small disappointments in both EMI and DG sets, but this is quibbling. Why not buy them both?

Here's something no one can quibble over; this EMI set has the incomparable "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" cycle with Fischer-Dieskau/Schwarzkopf and Szell. Worth the price by itself, hands down. Thanks, EMI. Add this keeper to your collection. A great set at a great price!
Scott