Search - Gustav Mahler, Lorin Maazel, Vpo :: Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor: Essential Classics

Phenomenal and Underrated Mahler Recording!

Noah Lambert | Chicago, IL USA | 08/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best Mahler 5 recordings I have heard. The Vienna Philharmonic sounds absolutely fabulous. Maazel's has recorded the whole Mahler cycle with Vienna. The performance of Mahler 4 has become very well known. The Mahler 5 seems to be not as popular. This might be because Bernstein also recorded a great live version with Vienna as well. Maazel's interpretation of the piece is very balanced and clear. Maazel brings to me what is a slightly more clear approach to this music, but still with great climaxes. I really like the opening movement and the third movement scherzo. The balance between all the sections is really amazing. You can hear every entrance and every voice. This is a triumph of the players and to the Sony recording engineers. I would highly recommend this Mahler recording to anyone."

Wonderful

David Saemann | 07/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this is a beautiful and profound Mahler 5. Some of Mazzel's tempos are slow, even very slow. But the orchestral phrasing is always coherent and the playing never lacks for conviction. I find that this symphony is quite a different work in Maazel's hands than in many other conductors', notably Sinopoli and Bernstein. Maazel's performance is highly meditative. There is never the mad rush forward with orchestral dazzle that you hear elsewhere. Maazel's mastery of detail is consummate. He is known to be a superb baton technician, and you really can hear that mastery pay off on this disc. The orchestral balances are true and thrilling, and nothing ever drags. I must comment on the superb early digital sound. The true orchestral dynamics are captured with a faithfulness that is rare even nowadays. The tone colors are true, and the balance is superb. You might consider buying a more mainstream Mahler 5 if this is to be your first experience of the work, but Maazel's is definitely one you will want to hear repeatedly."

Excellent interpretation

Charles Lee | Hamilton, New Zealand | 09/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For Mahler fans, this is one recording you should not overlook. VPO's performance was exquisite and I personally think very highly of Maazel's rendering of this work.



However, this is a dated recording and it shows in its sound quality. There are a few strange shifts in sound directions in 2nd and 4th movement. The string section sounds harsh and thin in the 4th movement. Hence the missing star."