Mahler Symphony 5

[Guest]

A new subscriber to BBC Music Mag and new, too, to Mahler, i see that Terry Blain (Aug. 2011) doesn't consider Rudolf Barshai. Then i see on MusicWeb International that Tony Duggan (2006) omits Michael Gielen. Both do praise Zander's work on No. 5, so i'll certainly get that. But which one of the other two should i listen to first, Barshai or Gielen? Please advise this eager novice.

[johnb]

Why limit yourself to Zander, Barshai or Gielen when there are many other notable recordings?

[Bryn]

The Barshai is by far the less expensive. I don't think it really matters which you listen to first. For my part, I think Zander talks a better Mahler performance than he directs. If you can find it, make sure you get the live recording under Tennstedt (it used to be on HMV Classics - only available in HMV stores or via hmv.com).

[Barbirollians]

Gracious - I would have VPO/Bernstein, Barbirolli and the 1947 Walter over any of that lot .

[Mahlerei]

I'd agree with Bryn re Zander; he may talk the talk but he doesn't walk the walk.

There are so many fine Fifths out there; among recent versions are Zinman's and, on DVD/Blu-Ray, a staggering version from Claudio Abbado and his Lucerne band.

[Barbirollians]

I agree about Zander - Gramophone described his recording as decent but unexceptional .

[Curalach]

Rather than just buying a recording of No5 you might like to consider Bertini's excellent set, which includes Symphonies 1 to 10 and Das Lied, and which is currently available from Amazon at £16.99 delivered.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Symphonies-Bertini-11-CD/dp/B000BQ7BX2/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

[Chris Newman]

I have Barbirolli which I love. Sometimes I listen to Abbado and his Lucerne band, Bruno Walter or Mackerras. I have not heard Bertini's set as suggested by Curalach but based on hearing him as a conductor it sounds amazing value. He is most underated and did tremendous work with the BBCNorthern and its later appearance as the BBCPO.

[Karafan]

Yes, Abbado on Blu-Ray or Chailly with the RCO in phenomenal sound on Decca for me!

Karafan

[HighlandDougie]

To add to the above, from left-field, I would add Markus Stenz and the Gürzenich Orchestra of Cologne, a well-recorded recent version which has given me much pleasure (and is down-loadable for a reasonable sum from the usual suspects)

[Barbirollians]

I would also agree that Mackerras's record is well worth hearing . I have always struggled with the BPO/Rattle sounds beautiful but a bit soulless to me.

[Kit Bright]

Thank you all for extremely knowledgeable & helpful replies, and all in the same key--G for Generosity. I've much listening, & learning to listen, to do.

[Barbirollians]

Listened to the NPO/Barbirolli again tonight for the first time in a while - it is a breathtakingly lovely performance I think.

[Petrushka]

Listened to the NPO/Barbirolli again tonight for the first time in a while - it is a breathtakingly lovely performance I think.

I haven't heard it for years but remember the finale as being too slow.

I've just bought the Gielen 5th following the write up in BBC MM but haven't had time to give it a spin yet.

[Tevot]

Herbert von Karajan's 1973 recording of Mahler 5 on Deutsche Grammophon holds up well imho.

http://store.universal-music.co.uk/restofworld/mahler-gustav/berliner-philharmoniker-herbert-karajan-mahler-symphony-no5/invt/0028944745023/

http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/cat/single/?PRODUCT_NR=4474502

'd also recommend his recordings of 4, 6 and 9.

Best Wishes,

Tevot