Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029XH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,475 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing Mahler 5th Symphony From Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, May 12, 2007

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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

Historically, Leonard Bernstein's 1960s recording of the Mahler 5th Symphony with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra should be regarded as among the most important, simply since it was made by one of Mahler's foremost supporters at a relatively early time in stereo recording. Clearly one of the reasons why this recording hasn't been as well received as others from Bernstein's 1960s Mahler symphony cycle is its relative poor quality; regrettably the sound does seem more than a bit "constricted" as another reviewer has noted. Others include Bernstein's own idiosyncratic stamp on Mahler's score, such as a surprisingly weak opening by the horns in the first movement, combined with an almost unexpected, unrestrained, sonic burst by the entire orchestra (Though I might add that Bernstein's tendency for "mannered", quite exuberant interpretations would become evident in his later Deutsche Grammophon recordings, most notably with the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Wiener Philharmoniker in the 1970s and 1980s.). However, I am still sufficiently intrigued with this recording to give it a favorable recommendation. Why? Bernstein's choice of tempi is among the swiftest I have heard for the Mahler 5th Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's playing is actually quite good.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flawed, yet unique, June 29, 2005

By 

Gal (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews

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

Mahler 5th symphony was my first exposure to Mahler's music. I listened to and loved Rattle's recording, but I had found this overemotional, even frantic, recording more to my liking.

Technically, the recording itself is far from perfect to say the least, it is not the crystal clear reproduction I got used to from some other classical reprints (Decca Legends series for example). The bass suffers the most, a shame in a recording of a grand orchestra.

The first movement, the funeral procession, starts with a great explosion of the entire orchestra, with the conductor almost losing control. You feel the orchestra is about to fall apart, but it doesn't, sometimes only barely holding.

This over-energetic start projects over the entire piece, the orchestra sounds like a tense spring ready to pop. The "flow" of the symphony is somewhat harmed by this, with a sense of "breaking" between parts, the conduction is also less accurate.

However, when Bernstein's let his all tensed orchestra loose, especially during Scherzo and less during the Rondo, you may forget all these flaws and immerse yourself in Mahler's powerful piece.

Not the best recording of Mahler's 5th yet far from the worst, Bernstein's 1964 recording sometimes allows you to see Mahler's tormented psyche and genius in their full glory. Yet I advice you to listen before you buy, this piece may not be to everyone's liking.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing interpretation, substandard sound and playing, July 15, 2006

By 

Serpentor (Groesbeek, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

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

Bernstein's first heroic and historic Mahler cycle for CBS is quite almost the most satisfying complete 'one-conductor-mahler-cycle' available. It would have been a completely satisfying cycle were it not for this Fifth.

There really isn't any need to elaborate, even when the orchestra would have played with the distinction they gave the Third, Seventh, Sixth and about every other Mahler symphony in the cycle, they would have been beaten by a dismal sound recording which is, even by 1960's standards, completely unsatisfying. Too bad, because I feel Bernstein's view of the work (not as mannered as his fabled remake with the Vienna Philharmonic) is quite refreshing. Ah well, perhaps this is just as well, a completely flawless Mahler cycle doesn't exsist and neither should we be searching for one. Mahler himself, after all, wasn't perfect.