Mahler: Symphony No.5

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Claudio Abbado (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Claudio Abbado
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (October 12, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GIX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,790 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect., July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No.5 (Audio CD)

The search for an ideal Mahler 5 isn't easy, despite the abundance of recordings: Karajan's , like Walter's, contains a couple of mistakes, Barbirolli's is interestingly different but the tempi don't always work, and others fail to inspire. Abbado's interpretation isn't radical, but its very musical and well thought out.The Adagio is relatively swift at less than 10 minutes, but this is now accepted as Mahler's likely speed, and works very well. This live recording contains a few chair squeaks, and the accompaniment to the first violin melody is a tiny bit too quiet, but these hardly marr a brilliant performance, in excellent digital sound.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still One Of The Best Mahler 5th Symphony Recordings, July 24, 2003

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No.5 (Audio CD)

Claudio Abbado's live recording of Mahler's 5th Symphony with the Berlin Philharmonic is still regarded as among the best. While Mahler fans may prefer other recordings by the likes of Bernstein, Rattle, Barbirolli, and Levine for their emotionally stirring interpretations, Abbado's most recent account has much to recommend it, not only for its excellent sound quality. His interpretation strikes a fine balance between a radical emotional reading and a more clinical approach, emphasizing the lyrical qualities of Mahler's score. I agree with a previous reviewer who finds Abbado's interpretation as one that is well thought out, even if some may find the tempi a bit too brisk.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhilarating, memorable Mahler from Abbado, full of personality, January 5, 2012

By 

Andrew R. Barnard (Leola, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No.5 (Audio CD)

I don't think any orchestra can play Mahler with more individuality than the Berlin Philharmonic. They've been gifted with great Mahlerians, Abbado and now the present day Rattle. This Mahler 5th is played with stunning power, with the Berliners giving their all. This was recorded just a few years after Abbado's takeover at Berlin, but Abbado's mark has already been left. Abbado's Berlin plays with more freedom of expression than with Karajan. (That's not necessarily to say that Karajan's Berlin is inferior to Abbado's; Karajan boasted visionary gifts and could achieve supernatural concentration.) Yet Abbado doesn't just let things roll by or become infatuated with the sound to his orchestra to the point of letting it become an end in itself. Abbado doesn't let a minute pass by without placing a firm stamp of individuality on the music.

Abbado's orchestra was lighter and fleeter in texture than either Karajan's or Rattle's. This could have worked against Abbado when he interpreted the composer who demands such power and depth. But it didn't, as Abbado used his Berliners' new-found freedom of playing to unleash his own personality and vision. The Berliners set the music on fire, making for a dazzling display of orchestral virtuosity. Clarity is present to the highest degree, with every note and phrase being articulated with astonishing agility. One of Abbado's greatest strengths as a musician is that he rarely struggles with overstatement, which means that even when he's at his most inspired the music will never become bombastic or overblown. (One can't say the same thing about Karajan.) When he's caught full of ideas, like on this disc, the music making is wonderfully infectious. Under his direction the Berliners play with marvelous beauty of tone, enabling them to deliver the ravishing melodies Mahler incorporated into his score without a care in the world. This is pure music making with no fluff.

Comparing this to Rattle's later recording of this piece with the same orchestra, Abbado comes out on top, as he allows himself to be entirely taken up with the music, whereas Rattle can sound more mannered. DG's sonics for Abbado are wonderful, but EMI was still getting adjusted to the Philharmonie's acoustics when they recorded the Rattle. For those trying to decide between the two, Abbado is the better choice, although the Rattle is certainly a success.

In closing, this is a phenomenal disc that showcases a wonderful conductor and orchestra at the height of their powers. Please buy it and enjoy.