Title : Mahler: Symphony No. 5
Author : Mahler, Gustav
Release Date : 20021105
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $16.98
Amazon.com Price : $14.69
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Editorial Reviews : Mahler called himself a 'summer composer,' writing most of his music in the countryside he loved during vacations from his duties as director of the Vienna Opera. His Fifth Symphony was composed in 1901 and 1902 in his new summer home at the lovely Carinthian Wörther Lake, just after his marriage to the famous beauty Alma Schindler. His happiness is reflected in the second part of the symphony: a tender, humorous, exhilarating Scherzo, (really a Ländler, that characteristically Austrian rustic waltz), featuring a big horn solo; the famous ardent, glowing Adagietto, which Alma claimed was a love song for her; and an exuberant, joyful, triumphant Finale that quotes one of Mahler's gently ironic songs. The first two movements, however, are exactly the opposite: a heavy, tragic Funeral March introduced by a trumpet fanfare, followed by an outburst of turbulent ferocity interrupted by mournful lamentations. In this live performance, the great Berlin Philharmonic and Simon Rattle play masterfully, with an all-out, no-holds-barred approach. The sound is simply glorious, though the dynamic contrasts tend to be so extreme as to require a finger on the volume control. Rattle brings out each movement's character, going to the emotional edge but never beyond. The Adagietto glows passionately, the second movement has a wild but controlled abandon, the Waltz lilts without becoming vulgar. He gives the music a grand, surging sweep, yet not a detail is lost. His transitions are smooth, and he can change mood, sound, and expression instantly.
Buyer Reviews : There's nothing like a new Mahler recording by a younger conductor to bring the reviewing goblins out of the woodwork. This one will be thoroughly dissected, I'm sure. So....to be brief: if Bernstein and Barbirolli are your preferred guides to Mahler's symphonic universe, you'll want to hear this new effort by Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic. This is definitely not a clinically metronomic effort a la Boulez, or more exploration of the high-middle-ground that characterizes Abbado's cycle with the same orchestra present here.
As in Barbirolli's and Bernstein's readings, Rattle and the Berlin orchestra have their hearts firmly on-sleave, though not excessively (and Mahler can withstand a lot). The push/pull with tempos and pointedly emotional detailing of oft-obscured passagework may madden some, but Rattle and his forces maintain the overall musical architecture with great assurance. The Berlin Philharmonic may no longer be von Karajan's orchestra, but more than a vestige of their trademark seemless string articulation is present. The sectional balancing, caught by an impactful, naturally 'present' recording, is outstanding. The aforementioned highlighting of passagework is not overly interpretive; there's no radical rethinking here.
In sum, while I wouldn't call this a 'benchmark' recording, it really is worth hearing. Mahlerians will forever argue over interpretive points, coolness vs. over-the-top emotion, and the like. What this new reading confirms is an ever-growing depth in Rattle's feel for Mahler. His recent recording of the 10th with the Berlin Philharmonic suggested good things to come. Here's hoping he'll continue the cycle, including new readings of those symphonies recorded earlier with other orchestras.
