Double double.(The Music)(Column)

This time around, Tom and I are back to our favorite composer, Gustav Mahler. Idiots that we are, we have once again decided to compare two recordings of the gigantic Symphony No. 3, even though the last time we did this we decided the comparison was much too exhausting and we would never do such a foolish thing again. But here we are, doing it again. But, I ask you, how can we restrain ourselves in the face of such overwhelming temptation from the recording industry? Telarc recently released a new recording featuring the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Zander (Telarc 3CD-80599), while Decca recently released a recording featuring Riccardo Chailly conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Decca CD 475 514-2). When Tom and I learned of these two new recordings, we just had to compare them.

Following our standard practice, Tom and I have refrained from discussing these two recordings with each other and have done our listening and writing completely independently. Because this is an even-numbered issue, Tom will lead off with his findings and then I will present things from my perspective.

TL: I can only imagine how difficult (and expensive) it must be to perform, let alone record a version of Mahler's Third Symphony these days. And how even more difficult it must be to perform or record a decent version of this symphony given the amount of rehearsal time it must take to prepare the orchestra and vocalists for this feat. It must help that both of these recordings featured here use an extremely talented and experienced group of performers, and their conductors are adept at leading their distinct ensembles.

Neither of these versions of Mahler's Third Symphony is "perfect." Zander's is more heartfelt, while Chailly's is a tighter, muscular account, and the playing might be slightly better, especially in the horns. But it is very, very close. Both are excellent recordings, I don't think the recording quality of one is better than the other. I'd hate to take such a monumental work and reduce it to a one-sentence judgment, but when it comes down to it, the first movement of Chailly's version is just too slow. It seems just a few metronome clicks shy of what I've become accustomed to as "normal". For that reason alone I don't think I'm going to return to this version as often as the Zander. There are other sections in the symphony where it seems to drag a bit, too.

As a bonus, the Benjamin Zander version features the extra discussion disc. It demonstrates that he is an exceptional public speaker, and assuming his temperament is on a par with his charming speaking voice his rapport with the orchestra must be excellent. It is very interesting to listen to, and the inclusion of this disc is another of the reasons I'd recommend the Benjamin Zander disc over the Ricardo Chailly.

Still, Chailly's more muscular (maybe a poor description, but the best I can think of) account is awfully appealing, and I ended up spinning this one just to hear his take on the symphony, even though the tempi are often distracting. It's a win-win situation, both versions are excellent, and both will stay in my collection. But I listen to the Zander more often.

How many different versions of Mahler's Third Symphony should one own? Should one buy every one as it is released? As many as one can afford to purchase? It's not even the most plentiful Mahler symphony I own (I have more Seconds, Fifths and Ninths), but besides the Zander and Chailly Third, I have the Bernstein, Boulez, Lopez-Cobos, Salonen, and Solti. I'd buy the Horenstein if I could find it, and I guess Rattle with the Berlin will be out before we know it. Plus, I've even attended performances of the symphony, most recently by Leonard Slatkin. I am a very fortunate Mahler fan.