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Mahler 2 Hallé Quinn et al. Posted by Terence on January 12, 2026, 6:10 pm There's a Mahler 2 for everyone's taste now. This one isn't mine. But what wasn't definitely subjective for me was the applause left in at the end. It's an instant disqualifier for me, like the premature bravos at the end of operas. Okay at the time, but I don't want to hear that every time I play the piece. Companies can do the editing; as it is, I often do my own, but in this case, I didn't bother. Some companies are more considerate; the conductors or the editors insert a space of say 5 seconds or so; some even put the applause on a separate track. All preferable to this.

Re: Mahler 2 Hallé Quinn et al. Posted by John Quinn on January 12, 2026, 6:34 pm, in reply to "Mahler 2 Hallé Quinn et al." Terence, this is a tricky subject. I know that many other people share your view, which is why I generally try to mention, when I write a review of a live performance, if there's applause at the end - or, indeed, other extraneous noise. On this occasion, I felt the retention of the applause was appropriate. On the other hand, there's a shattering live account of Mahler's Sixth conducted by Tennstedt where the hushed ending is wrecked by an idiot who immediately shouts 'bravo'. Personally, I approach the applause question on a case-by-case basis but I completely take your point.

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