Search - Gustav Mahler, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic :: Mahler: Symphony No. 5

An Intriguing Mahler 5th Symphony From Bernstein and the New

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 05/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Historically, Leonard Bernstein's 1960s recording of the Mahler 5th Symphony with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra should be regarded as among the most important, simply since it was made by one of Mahler's foremost supporters at a relatively early time in stereo recording. Clearly one of the reasons why this recording hasn't been as well received as others from Bernstein's 1960s Mahler symphony cycle is its relative poor quality; regrettably the sound does seem more than a bit "constricted" as another reviewer has noted. Others include Bernstein's own idiosyncratic stamp on Mahler's score, such as a surprisingly weak opening by the horns in the first movement, combined with an almost unexpected, unrestrained, sonic burst by the entire orchestra (Though I might add that Bernstein's tendency for "mannered", quite exuberant interpretations would become evident in his later Deutsche Grammophon recordings, most notably with the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Wiener Philharmoniker in the 1970s and 1980s.). However, I am still sufficiently intrigued with this recording to give it a favorable recommendation. Why? Bernstein's choice of tempi is among the swiftest I have heard for the Mahler 5th Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's playing is actually quite good."

Better than I expected

Mahler fan | Georgia, USA | 09/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recently purchased the Sony box with the complete symphonies with Bernstein at the helm. I had been expecting this performance of the 5th to be a disaster, but I have been pleasently surprised by it. As an interpretation, it is marvelous, and I wonder if the recorded sound quality is the real culprit in the generally negative reviews this performance has received. Granted, neither the playing nor the sound engineering is particularly good, but one may enhance the sound quality to an acceptable level by creatively manipulating a graphic equalizer. Fortunately, the other recordings in the complete set sound much better. I probably wouldn't buy this as an individual disk, but would certainly recommend listening to it as part of the Sony box set."

Full of unexpected aliveness and surprise

Larkenfield | 03/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am currently surveying the landscape of Bernstein's first Mahler cycle with the New York Phil - something I've been looking forward to for a long, long time. After all the conjecture about the merits of this performance that I've read about, I've had a chance to listen for the first time today, and I agree with some other reviewers about the excitement of this performance.



The start of this performance may make a bad impression or be misjudged as poor musicianship by some listeners, perhaps at a subliminal level, because the beginning trumpet solo sounds as if it is being played as a funereal trumpet, or may actually be a band or military BUGLE, and I listen to it with that understanding. Its sound is uncharacteristic of the usual trumpet and evidently Bernstein decided that he wanted it, or Mahler wanted it to sound this way. The bugle is playing in the midst of the emotional funereal turmoil going on around it. That's part of what makes this recording unique.



There is REAL music-making going on... so thrilling and enjoyable. Bernstein is playing M5's from an entirely different dimension from anyone else and one that I happen to enjoy. There are many instances where the playing bustles with a pulsating, bubbling energy. Even if this is not exactly what Mahler had in mind, I'm willing to go along with wherever Bernstein is going... and he goes!



Bernstein is also totally committed here and is super-alert at the helm in order to bring out all the subtleties of this amazing symphony. I'm very impressed with what he's able to get out of the players, or what they are willing to bring to support him. While the playing may seem a little imprecise, or there seems to be momentary lapses or lulls, I'm willing to be patient, and there's the sense that they are going more for expression at all costs than for safe or dry perfection of detail. I will take a vibrant performance over technical perfection any day of the week. Nor am I bothered by the sound quality of the engineering. With a performance as unique as this, I feel lucky that it was captured at all. I like the slow movement as well, because while it is still being sensitively played, he doesn't make a big deal out of it, unlike most other conductors, and I find that a refreshing change within the context of the symphony as a whole. The strings sound warm, and the woodwinds articulate their parts beautifully. After the pulsating earlier movements and the exhausting expenditure of great emotion, I found the ending inevitable and satisfying. There is much to enjoy here!



Up until the end of the '60s, Bernstein was truly in his prime with his unique vision of whatever composer he happened to be playing, and his creative risk-taking worked for him much more often than not. As to some of his later works, I feel that he may have lost his way. Nevertheless, these earlier performances are oftentimes extraordinary, and even what some listeners might consider to be his lesser efforts can still leave an indelible impression. In short, I greatly enjoyed this recording because of the vibrancy of the thrilling emotions behind it all that can lift one's spirits to the sky!"