Yes, the Mahler question has plagued me all my listening life and there are days when he's in my top ten. Then I confront the bombast of the 8th and though Homer nods, I just shake my head when Mahler roars sweet nothings.
Kempff has grown on me, I haven't reassessed Walter since I overheard a totally underwhelming Bruckner 9 while browsing in a Sydney record shop in 1987. Fricsay is a yes, as is Schneiderhahn. I have many of the Horenstein recordings which were released in the 70's - Mahler 3 and 4, a Nielsen 5, but I've not explored the Vox recordings. And, apart from some Vaughan Williams, I have very little of Boult's work in my collection, something I'll follow up on Spotify. Verbitsky is a left-field nomination - it sounds like you live in Australia as well. I will also follow that up, thanks. Toscanini is a total blind spot for me. I think I hate the man as much as I hate his music-making. And, as for Colin Davis, I fell in love with his early Mozart recordings on Philips, and most of all, his Berlioz. Yes, his Haydn is something else, but I also like his Sibelius, his Beethoven, and his Brams. The less said about his Bruckner 6 the better.
Yes to both Elgar and Bax, a most assured yes.
Thanks for your reply.
Dieter
I find much to agree with and disagree with in your ranking of composers and musicians, Dieter.
My rankings: Mahler belongs in the top tier, Elgar and Bax earn a place in the second tier.
Musicians who 'speak to me' absolutely include Bruno Walter, Horenstein, Fricsay, Wilhelm Kempff, Schneiderhan, Boult and Vladimir Verbitsky. Toscanini does some of the time, Colin Davis seldom (except in Haydn symphonies).
No doubt I've overlooked some who also deserve places.
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