Review: Mehta's Sadly Too Late Munich Brahms Cycle

[@JohnSanderson-d6b]

Just wait until the latest Finnish wunderkind gets his plastic fingers on Brahms. We will all sing old Mehta’s praises at that point. Speaking of yesterday’s Mahler 2 essay, by the way, Mehta and Vienna recorded one of the greatest ones … ever.

[@grantparsons6205]

Mehta was only in his late 20s when his marvellous Vienna Bruckner 9 was put down.

[@evansercombe]

@@grantparsons6205 Mehta was a far more skilled musician at that age than Mäkelä is now.

[@grantparsons6205]

Totally agree ​@@evansercombe

[@robhaynes4410]

Mehta also did a very fine Symphony 1 in Vienna for Decca in the 70s. It's not my favorite, but I enjoy it from time to time.

[@morrigambist]

Compare Sir Adrian Boult's "Indian Summer" recordings He retired at an advanced age but before his abilities started to fade.

[@jjquinn2004]

Wow, spot-in re: Mehta's performance. I saw Zubin Mehta last August in Mumbai, India with the Symphony Orchestra of India, and I was sure that he tires easily. But, as I've never seen him perform, I figure that his visit was historic. Sadly, when I saw him at the hotel, he needed his wheelchair and he looked exhausted.

[@IanKnight40]

At least Vladimir Askenazy knew when to pack it in.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I'm wishing Mehta had done the cycle with the LA Phil back in the day.

[@robhaynes4410]

That would have been very interesting to hear. I wish Giulini had finished his LA cycle.

[@kevinm6790]

Mehta has always been my favorite conductor. I agree that he should have stopped long before now. Seeing him conduct just makes me sad.

[@dmntuba]

At least we have his wonderful DECCA/LA Phil box 😊

[@ngershon]

He still can deliver the goods, heard him last year conducting Bruckner 4 with Israel phil. The orchestra knowing him for 50 years probably helped to take some of the load off him.

[@IPANoah]

Its not just conductors. You regularly have people in big 5 and other top tier groups in the US either dying in the chair or playing 5-10 seasons past complete cringe.

[@snapfinger1]

Unrealistic expectations. No conductor can touch Weingartner’s Brahms cycle.

[@robinlovesbooksRaianiemi]

The Sony/Israel Phil Brahms cycle is my favorite. And it’s much cheaper than this one, which I won’t bother with.

[@composingpenguin]

Not just in the music world, but it seems everywhere, old folks beyond past their prime who just can’t let go and give room to younger folks.