Mahler Symphony No 8 - Busoni Orchestral Works - Horenstein

JASCHA HORENSTEIN’S FABULOUS MAHLER 8 IN NEW HIGH-RESOLUTION RELEASE HDTT is pleased to present the sovereign Jascha Horenstein’s definitive recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”) in a new restoration from a superior tape source, in its first audiophile release. This magnificent live performance, which took place at London’s enormous Royal Albert Hall on March 20, 1959, featured a total of 756 performers—a large gathering for even this massive work. More than any other identifiable event, this performance was a turning point for public opinion regarding Mahler’s works in Britain, initiating the Mahler craze there that persists in our time, when Mahler has become as much a part of the orchestral canon as Beethoven. For many Mahler aficionados, this classic Horenstein recorded performance remains the touchstone for its perfect balance of delicate, heavenly beauty with moments of overwhelming power, always revealing the abundant depth of feeling that permeates this work. Now it can be heard with far greater clarity and definition, substantially enhancing the listening experience. The added Horenstein-led Busoni recordings, commercially released here for the first time, highlight an important connection between this less famous composer and his friend and colleague Mahler. In fact, Busoni’s gripping “Berceuse élégiaque” was featured in the last concert conducted by Mahler before his death three months later. Check out the two new blog articles offering detailed analysis of this release. Read the Positive Feedback Review 06-26-2025 | By Rushton Paul | Issue 139 Read the Music Web International Review August 11, 2025 | Nick Barnard Mahler Symphony No. 8 in E-Flat Major Artist(s): Jascha Horenstein, Conductor London Symphony Orchestra (augmented to 144 players) Hugh Maguire, Leader and Violin Solos; Charles Spinks, Organist Musical Associate (in charge of advance musical preparation): Berthold Goldschmidt Joyce Barker (Soprano I in Part I; Magna Peccatrix in Part II) Beryl Hatt (not in Part I; Mater Gloriosa in Part II) Agnes Giebel (Soprano II in Part I; A Penitent [Gretchen] in Part II) Kirsten Meyer (Alto I in Part I; Mulier Samaritana in Part II) Helen Watts (Alto II in Part I; Maria Aegyptiaca in Part II) Kenneth Neate (Tenor in Part I; Doctor Marianus in Part II) Alfred Orda (Baritone in Part I; Pater Ecstaticus in Part II) Arnold van Mill (Bass in Part I; Pater Profundus in Part II) BBC Chorus and BBC Choral Society (Bernard Keeffe, Chorusmaster) Goldsmiths' Choral Union (Frederick Haggis, Conductor) Hampstead Choral Society (Martindale Sidwell, Conductor) Boys’ Choir from Emanuel School (Donald Cashmore, Conductor) Orpington Junior Singers (Sheila Mossman, Conductor) Orchestral Music of Busoni Artist(s): Jascha Horenstein, Conductor Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Die Brautwahl Suite, Op. 45 (BV 261) Berceuse élégiaque, Op. 42 (BV 252a) Eine Lustspielouvertüre (A Comedy Overture), Op. 38 (BV 245) Recording Info: Mahler 8 - Recorded live at Royal Albert Hall, London on March 20, 1959. Original Producer: Ivor Walsworth; Recording Engineers: Eric Dougherty and Richard Gundry. Experimental stereo recording captured with co-incident or near co-incident Neumann SM-2 condenser microphones with crossed figure-8 polar diagram (one contrary source says a single pair of C-12 microphones)—unrelated to the mono broadcast signal; recorded on a BTR2 recorder modified with stereo heads running at 15 IPS. Busoni Recordings - Die Brautwahl Suite and “Berceuse élégiaque” recorded for later broadcast, in Maida Vale Studios, London on October 15, 1965; “Eine Lustspielouvertüre” recorded for later broadcast, on either that date or on May 2, 3 or 6 at the same location; recording engineer(s), equipment and other details unknown. These are historic mono recordings, receiving their first commercial release. Components used for Transfer: Analog: Transferred using a modified Studer 810 tape deck with Flux Heads feeding a Merrill Audio Tape Preamp Digital: Merging Hapi Analog to Digital Converter clocked by an Antelope Audio 10MX Atomic Clock Software: Merging Pyramix v15 Power Conditioning: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 for all components All components are grounded to Shunyata ALTAIRA Hubs Mahler Symphony No. 8 in E-Flat Major: Part I: Hymnus: “Veni, Creator Spiritus” 01. Beginning (11:52) 02. Conclusion (12:00) Part II: Closing Scene from Goethe’s Faust 03. 1st Part (18:22) 04. 2d Part (11:33) 05. 3d Part, Beginning (14:02) 06. 3d Part, Conclusion (13:37) 07. Deryck Cooke spoken introduction to original mono broadcast (6:04) Ferruccio Busoni: (Mono Recordings) Die Brautwahl (The Bridal Choice) Suite, Op. 45 (BV 261) 08. Ghostly music: Allegretto moderato; Al galoppo; Con fuoco (3:25) 09. Lyrical music: Andante amoroso (9:24) 10. Mystical music: Sostenutissimo; Andante mistico; Andantino; Tempo di valse lento (7:12) 11. Hebrew music: Andante sostenuto in modo ebraico (8:12) 12. Joyous music: Allegro; Presto (4:09) 13. Berceuse élégiaque, Op. 42 (BV 252a) (8:46) 14. Eine Lustspielouvertüre (A Comedy Overture), Op. 38 (BV 245) (7:08) Please Note: This release was edited in DXD PCM from a DSD256 Master then the DXD edited master was used to generate the final DSD files using Merging Technologies Album Publishing. DXD (352.8KHz 24/32 bit PCM) is one of the best and least destructive formats for post-processing DSD originated digital recordings Copyright © & ℗ High Definition Tape Transfers 2025, including all compilation, transfer, remastering, editing and restoration aspects. Booklet: Copyright © & ℗ High Definition Tape Transfers 2025, except Copyright © & ℗ Misha Horenstein 2025 for his notes. Grateful thanks to Louise Bloomfield and Jerry Bruck, and to Misha Horenstein Play Sample Tracks