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Claudio Abado: Jessye Norman: Wiener Philharmoniker
Recorded in 1982.

TMB

Pierre Boulez conducting Wiener Philharmoniker with Anne Sofie von Otter.

I've never heard a Bruno Walter recording of Mahler 3, but I would expect his interpretation to be a popular choice up in Heaven, or the "astral plane" or whatever you choose.

Meanwhile I'm a bit puzzled why you aren't happy with Lennie's reading. I recall hearing a sneeze or cough in the last movement, but aside from that little intrusion, the movement is sheer perfection - at least to my ears. And I find nothing in the other movements to take away from my honest opinion that it's the best interpretation I've heard to date.

So many others - Karajan, Haitinck, Levine, even Slatkin - fall short IMO, for lack of, I guess the best word would be ---- aspiring.

The one Haitink just made with Chicago. Jay Friedman has a monster sound on the solo. And Vernon and Pokorny are, well, Vernon and Pokorny.

I second the Boulez/Vienna Phil and MTT SanFran live.
The new recording of a live CSO broadcast from last season with Bernard Haitink is available HERE. I haven't had a chance to listen to this recording yet but I specifically remember Gene sounding ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE live at this concert. I remember it so well becasue I had a lesson with him before and it was obvious he was very emotional over the very recent passing of Tommy Johnson. Maybe I'm crazy, but his playing seemed to really reflect that sorrow and there was just something special there. Maybe it was something only noticeable live, which is part of the reason I haven't listened to the recording yet.
Chris Martin's principal trumpet playing in the third movement off-stage part was also very inspirational, and overall, it was just a really great performance by CSO.

Cincinnati Symphony w/Jesus Lopez-Cobos. You will not find a better recording for clarity, and just good quality. as is such with almoist all Telarc recordings. Pete Norton was playing principal on this recording, and the solo is the best on record. Mike Thornton sounds amazing, as do the Cincinnati horns. My other favorite is The Danish National Radio Symphony on Chandos, another of my favorite recording companies. Jens Bjorn-Larsen sounds spectacular and the trombone solo played by Carsten Svanberg is equally spectacular.

I really enjoyed the CSO's new Mahler 3 recording. The brass playing by everyone is top notch. I hope that the Mahler 6 from a few weeks ago is released soon too, that was a GREAT concert!

The trombone soloist in the Zander/Philharmonia recording is Byron Fulcher,their principal trombone. He does sound big - one of the reviews called his playing " stentorian " !! This is a great word that reminds me of Victorian England !! ( I think it just means powerful,carrying (of voice especially) and generally very big ). Another good recording is Jarvi/SNO with Lance Green as the trombone soloist.

Boston/Leinsdorf , RCA Red Seal . Chester Schmitz's first recording with BSO . Beautiful ensemble and the tuba prominent throughout , really steals the show in the last movement . He doesn't bowl you over with volume , the sound is just incredibly beautiful .

Of the Mahler 3 recordings that I have listened:

Bernstein - New York

Horenstein - London

emotional, understanding of Mahler's music, excellent orchestras, etc...

I have not listened to the Walter recording, but I expect that it would be on my short list.

best,
Mark

I will second the good Doctor's choices with one caveat, Bernsteins 1963 recording, to my ears, is a much better recording. Joe Alessi is outstanding in his solo turn in the later one, but Gordon Pulis is transcensent on the first. I really like Joe Novotny's playing as well. The whole recording is very raw, like a pinched nerve that you think has gone away until you move wrong, it zings you at unexpected times.

Jascha Horenstein was perhaps the most under-rated conductor of his age. His entire Mahler Cycle on Nonesuch with the LSO is brilliant, I just wish they had re-issued ALL of them. His Mahler 6 is nerve wracking. I would love to know who the tuba player was, the playing is fabulous.

Chuck Jackson wrote:I will second the good Doctor's choices with one caveat, Bernsteins 1963 recording, to my ears, is a much better recording. Joe Alessi is outstanding in his solo turn in the later one, but Gordon Pulis is transcensent on the first. I really like Joe Novotny's playing as well. The whole recording is very raw, like a pinched nerve that you think has gone away until you move wrong, it zings you at unexpected times.

Jascha Horenstein was perhaps the most under-rated conductor of his age. His entire Mahler Cycle on Nonesuch with the LSO is brilliant, I just wish they had re-issued ALL of them. His Mahler 6 is nerve wracking. I would love to know who the tuba player was, the playing is fabulous.

I love the Horenstein Mahler cycle that I have heard so far. I would love to hear the Mahler 3 and 6. Gerald Sloans "Orchestral Recordings for Low Brass Players." Lists the recording date as 1970 for Mahler 3, so that would be John Fletcher. I'm not sure what the date is for the Mahler 6. I own the Mahler 1 on LP. I bought it or 48 cents. Its the best 48 cents i've ever spent! I hope to find the other on LP as well.

Solti/CSO... I heard it as part of the Mahler/Solti boxed set. GREAT performance. Just my $.02.

The CSO with Levine is a great one too, (this is what, about the fourth different CSO version plugged in this thread?)
Grew up on the Solti/CSO version, Levine is as good or better!
Might be available on vinyl only?
I assume this was Arnold Jacobs?

The M.T.T. San Francisco is a great one.
For you hi-fi types this is an SACD-surround recording, apparently with great reproduction of the hall acoustics, I have not been to a concert there myself, but a few people (who's opinions I respect) have told me the recreation on this disc is downright spooky... YOU ARE THERE.

I'm gonna have to give my vote to Riccardo Chailly with the Royal Concertgebouw. While a bit long, it just has too many wonderful moments to tell all about.

-Billy.

Just listened to the 86 Bernstein NY recording last night. It remains my favorite, followed by his early '60s NY Columbia LP. Sadly, despite the incredible sonics, Michael Tilson-Thomas' SFSO performance lacks fire and the requisite crassness.