Haunting
David Saemann | 11/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't tell from the accompanying booklet whether this disc was newly mastered for the reissue. Whatever the case, the sound engineering from Frankfurt's Alte Oper in 1987 is very fine, rich in body and splendidly detailed. Although it is a live performance, there is only one cough. When I first heard this performance some years ago, I was appalled by it. It seemed spineless. Now, on taking it up again, I find it to be a highly intriguing take on the symphony. Bernstein seems to regard the first four movements as a kind of nightmare, from which the last movement is an awakening. His tempos in the first movement vary widely, sometimes going at only a crawl--drawing out the pathos of the spookier moments to a degree unlike any other performance I know of. Even the famous Adagietto has a sort of sickly feel, as its transitional passages are sustained at great length. The finale erupts from this, having an outdoorsy sort of vigor. I'm not sure this is the only Mahler 5 I would want to hear. There are so many good ones. But once you hear this recording, you are unlikely to forget it."
Shock and Awe!
Christopher Smith | Atlanta, Georgia | 04/23/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My first purchase of this symphony was Bernstein's New York recording on CBS/Sony, and even though I later found it was a much-maligned recording, it seems to me a somewhat flawed but nevertheless powerful performance that communicates the essence of the symphony with the depth and humanity it deserves.
I have however become very absorbed in this symphony lately, so I bought this Vienna 5th of Bernstein, and it does put his earlier one decisively in the shade. It's incredible, with such a deep, rich, mellow sound. Far more dramatic and it's like he and the orchestra caress every note. It's about six minutes longer altogether than the New York 5th, but I never get the sense that it drags or that any momentum or drama is lost. The Vienna horns are spectacular throughout the first movement, and the French horn in the scherzo is achingly beautiful. This is in every respect an absolutely thrilling ride, full of fury, pathos and triumph. If you want to see what all the fuss is about regarding Bernstein and Mahler, this is a perfect place to start. Next stop, Bernstein's M6!"
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1