Good point, although I am not sure the contrast is really too much of a problem. I will definitely look up the New England Conservatory recording. Thanks.

Gene

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 25, 2016, at 6:40 PM, Eric Nagamine <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Problem with inserting Blumine into the 1893 or 1899 version of the 1st symphony is that the rest of the movements have a vastly enlarged instrumentation. Unless the conductor boosts the string sound in Blumine it can sound out of place. it fits much better with the original 1888/89 version with its smaller orchestra. If you listen to the New England Conservatory performance it's noticeable.
>
> Eric Nagamine
>
>
>> On Feb 25, 2016, at 11:00 AM, Gene Baron <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> I know that Mahler himself removed the "Blumine" movement from his first
>> symphony but I always appreciate when someone includes it -- it has some
>> thematic material that is developed in later movements and is a lovely
>> melody -- there are just a couple of recordings that include it (Ormandy
>> and Win Morris come to mind).
>>
>> Gene
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 25, 2016 at 11:33 AM, Karl Miller <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Szell made a cut in the last movement of the Bartók. I have never read
>>> any explanation as to why he did so. As to the "alternative ending," I have
>>> read that it was done at the request of Koussevitzky. There is at least one
>>> commercial recording which offers both endings. The Koussevitzky broadcast
>>> features the original ending.
>>> Regarding the Szell cut...Bartók was very precise in his sense of
>>> proportion. He often used the fibonacci series for his works. To make a cut
>>> in a work of his, seems to me, to be highly inappropriate.
>>>
>>> Karl
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, February 24, 2016 4:30 PM, John Haley <
>>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> When I click the reply, Karl, it gives me your personal email instead of
>>> the list.
>>> Interesting thoughts about the availability of the score affecting
>>> performing decisions. There are probably lots of reasons that go into the
>>> decisions whether or not to make cuts or do repeats, but that surely has to
>>> be one of them.