Repertoire: The BEST Mahler Fifth Symphony

Is this symphony jinxed? Why did "echt" Mahlerians like Solti, Bernstein, Abbado, Haitink, and so many others play it so poorly on at least one (if not more) of their recordings? The best versions may not be the ones you'd be most likely to expect.

[cliffb]

Per your recommendation I found the Barshai and Junge Deutsche Orchestra. OMG. What an inspired performance! The clarity of the lines and the interplay between the horns, woodwinds and strings. The recording sparkles. And the pacing seems just right. WONDERFUL! I feel they are all pouring out their hearts and souls. The applause at the end is so well deserved! THANK YOU-

[jamessteffen]

I was delighted and moved to see that you chose Levine as your top recommendation. That was how I first discovered the work years ago, thanks to one of my friends who was a great fan of the recording and Mahler in general. Sadly, he passed away last year--so this brings back some bittersweet memories. I haven't heard Levine's recording in a long time and am eager to give it a fresh listen. Thank you.

[jamiefenner]

So glad I found your channel, and this video! Great respect to any and all musicians, especially those who can absorb and play such music. I discovered Mahler's 5th in 1982 and it remains the symphony I love above all others

[chickenringNYC]

My timpani teacher at Juilliard taught me that the 2nd movement of Mahler 5 is a timpani concerto! This piece is a major blow for everyone involved!

[LyleFrancisDelp]

Very glad you included Abbado/CSO, as that was my first recording and the vehicle by which I learned the work. I still think it's one of the best, and it's good to know that..it's not just me. I once heard his later recording and was delighted that I didn't spend my hard earned money on it.

[masahiromihara]

I really enjoy your talk. As there are so many recordings of Mahler 5th to choose from, I didn't know which one to choose. I'm glad you mentioned Karajan's recording. This is the one I used to own and listen to very often when I was a college student.

[peterpetrovic]

Tennstedt on EMI released 1979, 2011 remaster sounds wonderful also.

[davidmayhew]

I was lucky to have heard Solti and CSO do the 5th in SF. It was the most exciting classical concert I've ever heard. The audience gasped at the pluck string at the end of the first movement. Sounded like they would blow the roof right off the opera house. The audience stood in unison and cheered! I've never heard any orchestra sound like that and doubt I ever will again. I also very much like Sinopoli's recording.

[michaelhartman]

Thanks for highlighting Mehta. great recording We were fortunate to hear him do a memorable performance of this before the recording live in St. Louis when the N Y Phil visited on the Bell Labs/AT&T Great Orchestra touring series. (in a time when corporate America's philanthropy extended to the arts rather than only to Wall Street).

[TheCastlepoet]

Some years ago, on a whim, I bought the Kondrashin 5th on the "Audiophile Classics" (pirate?) label for $2.99 or $3.99 or thereabouts. I enjoyed it--except for the last movement, where the entire orchestra went all-out crazy. It all seemed so over-the-top to me that what immediately came to mind was not Mahler but "circus music." Once I had that notion in my head, I couldn't get it out of my head, and so I sold the disc, at a small profit, on eBay. How clever was I?

Well, naturally, in due course I came to suffer from seller's regret. Even today, whenever anyone mentions that recording, I kick myself for having gotten rid of it so cavalierly So thanks for reminding me of it, Dave! ;-)

(The Kondrashin recording is posted on Youtube, so I just gave it another listen. Yep, the final movement still sounds like "circus music." But now I really get a kick out of that weird wildness. After all, who needs Haitinkian politeness and restraint all the time?)

[michaelmouse]

Karajan Mahler 5 is a favourite of mine. Great sound & structure.

[WmMorris]

I have that Barshai recording.... LOVE IT.

[morrigambist]

I was lucky enough to hear George Manahan play this piece like fireworks! Most reviewers scorn Karajan's 5th, but it has some telling moments. For instance, when the Adagietto theme recurs in the finale, Karajan is almost the only one to note the "grazioso" direction, and the strings shape it that way. An essential recording.

[jamescpotter]

Hi David, I am new to your channel and I am listening (on Youtube) to your suggested Hans Rosbaud Mahler 5th and it is INCREDIBLE! For a 1951 recording, the sound engineers capture a sonic masterpiece. This orchestra plays with confidence, ambition, and apparent joy. Thanks for your dedicated hard work to recommend this rendition.

[jacquesracine]

THANK YOU David!!! I knew 20+ version.... not Levine's. Totally amazing. And VERY well recorded. Perfection, really.

[robert]

One of my most memorable concert experience was the Vienna Philharmonic in Budapest with Blomstedt I think. They played the Mahler 5th. That was the first time I've heard them and I was completely blown away with that beautiful, rich, colorful, truly symphonic orchestral sound. It was a unforgettable performance. After that I've heard them in Vienna with Barenboim playing Maher 9th. That performance was routine and the orchestral sound was dull.

[LyleFrancisDelp]

I heard Solti conduct this live in Bass Hall, Austin, TX back in 1986, I think. Herseth didn't have his best night...the opening trumpet tune didn't come off too well. The rest was OK, but the REAL gem of the evening was the Haydn Drumroll Symphony.

Side note...the concert was delayed for almost two hours, as the instrument truck was involved in a highway accident en route. Many instruments were damaged and some string players resorted to borrowed instruments from the U. of Texas. With that in mind, I suppose the Mahler 5 went pretty well. I know as a performer that something like that can really put the players off their best game.

[jacklong]

Back in the 1970s, I had season tickets for the L.A. Philharmonic during Mehta’s conductorship. His Mahler 5 was one of his most memorable concerts. I have never heard a recording where the contrapuntal lines were so finely delineated.

[stephencoats]

I am working my way through Mahler and I use your recommendations as the foundation stones of my consideration. I bought your recommendation of Marcus Stenz from the MSO as that is my local orchestra and I was pleased to see you give it a nod. I love it! It is fabulously played and the sonics are great. I since saw them play the 3rd and that was fabulous too. I hope it's released a recording. Thanks for the tip!

[texleeger]

I saw Solti and his Chicago play the Mahler 5th years ago (1971) at Dartmouth College. Yes, the little College had two separate nights of Chicago. Both different programs. Anyway, the Mahler was stunning. Yes, I know many can not stomach Solti's recorded version with Chicago. But for me, that live extravaganza and Solti's first recorded performance reside always in my heart. (I have the first version in both LP and cd. Purchased that LP the day after the Hanover concert. I could not wait to hear it again.)