Review: Another Lorin Maazel Box That Nobody Really Needs

DG already released about half of this stuff in another box featuring Maazel's mostly fine early recordings, and the later efforts (to be frank) were neither especially spectacular nor important--with one or two possible exceptions (like Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony). Not many people are going to want this 39-CD set, I suspect. It's not bad, mind you, just not significant.

[@TheIrrationalist]

I may purchase this set just because I was so blown away by every one of the Maazel performances I was lucky enough to attend. Having said this, even though you're lukewarm about this set overall, during these 19 minutes you mentioned a lot of discs you loved, so I think you might like this box more than you think you do. 🙂

[@user-zk4jx6du7w]

Lorin Maazel was the first musical director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, from 2006 to 2011 and, in addition, he made one of his dreams come true by staging his opera 1984, based on the work of George Orwell. Saludos desde España

[@stevouk]

“In practice nobody cares whether work is useful or useless, productive or parasitic; the sole thing demanded is that it shall be profitable.” - George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London

[@richfarmer3478]

I have that Berlin Radio Firebird suite on a reissue coupled with Falla's two most famous ballets. Still one of my favorite discs- the finale of the Firebird is the most thrilling I ever heard and great sound for 1959.

[@leestamm3187]

I revisited that "Firebird" after many years. It's still exquisite.

[@alanmcginn4796]

I have the eariy recordings box which I believe Dave had reviewed a couple of years ago. It is more than half of this box. And really great stuff.

[@ahartify]

Those New Year concerts - time for an overhaul, surely. The audience itself, including, no doubt, even the Viennese, looks bored out of its mind as well, judging by recent broadcasts. It looks like a private concert at a banker's conference.

[@joehardy5477]

Is it perhaps a problem of boredom among the Viennese themselves? Nearly 3 years ago I saw a televised outdoor VP concert filmed in front of Schönbrunn Palace. The audience there was strangely unresponsive to the music heard there that night & I eventually came to assume that many of them were bored. They certainly looked it! That is a reaction I NEVER see from BP concert audiences! If it is indeed boredom with their philharmonic, how sad for them.

[@nickhamshaw1234]

Back in the mid 2000s we had the ‘DG Concerts’ series, which included a Dvorak/Haydn/Kodaly recording from Maazel in Nee York. I’m pretty sure it was released on disc, too, but even if it wasn’t, it ought to have been included here. Or were the DG Concerts recordings only on temporary license??

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes.

[@nunyabiznuss3756]

Dave has teased it a few times, and we want it: a full video on the Vienna New Year's Concerts. I would love to hear a half hour explanation of why he hates them so much. I agree with him on most things; but I have no idea how anyone can watch the New Year's Concert and not be entertained.

[@michaelday5479]

I love the New Year's Concerts from Vienna. The Strauss Family waltzes and polkas are wonderful works. I don't know how anyone can not enjoy the Strauss Family waltzes and polkas? The New Years Concerts are the highlights of the year.

[@murraylow4523]

Haha yes. I have that Sony box that includes everyone playing everything from these concerts. You can just pick a disc, and put it on and you’ll be delighted. From memory, Dave loves the music, but can’t stand the performance context, the social structure of the annual event and so on.

[@markstenroos6732]

The Bartók Concerto for Orchestra disc is analog, not digital. Recorded 1979.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, thanks.

[@jaykauffman4775]

He did two of my favorite recordings for Decca. A Fidelio with no interest in philosophical musings but pitched for excitement and an aptly hard edged Romeo and Juliet

[@nicholasfox966]

The definitive interpreter of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Requiem.

[@djcata7474]

Yes he made a profound impression on me with The Firebird and The Pines of Rome. Shaped the way I listen to music.

[@MegaBrian1965]

Great show David, I subscribed. looking forward to watching all your shows going forward. Brian.........work for Dan

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy.

[@jerrygennaro7587]

Labeled as "Complete" but doesn't seem to include the two NYPhil CDs of Strauss and Ravel/Stravinsky that were issued by DGG on physical RedBox CDs.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

DG didn't own the rights, if I recall...

[@jgesselberty]

I think you nail it when you describe most as good, very good, very well but rarely use the word Great.

[@HassoBenSoba]

Can't disagree with much here, but I'd like to second your praise for the Ravel "L'Enfant"; for anyone who is fascinated by this opera (or who thinks they MIGHT be), Maazel's 1960 recording is unbeatable. Don't let the date scare you off: it's clean, clear, detailed and totally fresh and exciting. Also, no mention was made about the actual performance of the Strauss "Domestica"; it's absolutely first-rate, every bar invested with color and character (it's a live performance, too). A real thrill. But you might want to search out these recordings individually. LR

[@leestamm3187]

Another box of warehouse gatherings trying to squeeze cash out of oldies. Fine if you like Maazel and want a batch of his stuff that you don't already have.

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

I can do without Peter and the Wolf in any version; and New Year's Day concerts - shall we say I share your disdain. I have a lot of these recordings, by different orchestras & conductors; you don't mention the price of this set, but - I think I'll pass. It's always interesting watching your broadcasts; particularly since I nearly always agree with your judgements - which is more to your credit than mine.

[@heifetz14]

Carlos Kleiber,s new year concert is the best of them,predictably.

[@dmntuba]

2 points I would appreciate someone clear up for me... 1- His early DG recordings...was his association with BPO just as a guest recording artist, principal guest or what? 2- I remember hearing a story about a conductor holding a press conference "pre" naming replacement for HVK, and of course wasn't given the appointment. Was that Maazel? Who ever it was how do you live that down 🤣

[@heifetz14]

An absolute tragedy that Kleiber turned it down because he could not be arsed.

[@martinhaub6828]

I've always liked Maazel's recordings and collected them on LP and then CD; despite adding more duplicates to the library, I'll probably pick this box up. There are two Maazel items we really need: first is that humorous film he made "A Week in the Life of a Conductor". Then there's his own Symphony that the Vienna Philharmonic played. I still have an off-air recording I made 40 years ago; but if the VPO has a good recording it needs to be offered for listening.

[@aristideduplessis8151]

Maazel was a perfect balance between the old, old school and the mid-20th century. Although his violin playing is very "golden age" in the style of Heifetz etc. Very, very interesting to listen to - it makes one realize how integrated the music was into the instrumental playing and teaching back then. Kids were taught music as a language and not just cold technique with "musicality" on top of it.

[@heifetz14]

I never thought I would hear Heifetz and Maazel in the same sentence. Good point regarding teaching methods. I rarely listen to contemporary violinists, Hadelich being an exception.

[@zdl1965]

I might just get this for the original sleeve designs, a selling point of all these boxes. On the other hand, I might not...

[@stevouk]

Lorin Maazel... America's answer to Zubin Mehta... or is Mehta India's answer to Maazel? I can never remember.

[@michaelgray3643]

Sorry. Mehta is far better than Maazel! There is absolutely no comparison!

[@thebruckler3707]

@@michaelgray3643 I absolutely agree; the two aren't even comparable

[@HassoBenSoba]

@@michaelgray3643 Better? That's a pretty big, broad, subjective brush with which to paint. How so?

[@michaelgray3643]

@@HassoBenSoba Not really. All you have to do is listen!

[@dmntuba]

He was everywhere & nowhere at the same time.

[@dr2549]

No Mahler's 4th? His was a non-Szell - but great - one

[@leestamm3187]

To my ear, most non-Szell Mahler, including Maazel's, is better than Szell Mahler. Szell was a great conductor, but Mahler was not his forte.

[@ericnagamine7742]

Wrong label

[@barryguerrero6480]

Sony Classical