Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Daniele Gatti (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Daniele Gatti
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (March 10, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B0000062B8
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,862 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sym No.5 in c#; Part I: 1st Mvt-Trauermarsch (In Gemessenem Schritt-Streng-Wie Ein Kondukt) - Ian Balmain

2. Sym No.5 in c#; Part I: Second Mvt-Sturmisch Bewegt, Mit Grosster Vehemenz

3. Sym No.5 in c#; Part II: Third Mvt-Scherzo (Kraftig, Nicht Zu Schnell) - John Bimson

4. Sym No.5 in c#; Part III: Fourth Mvt-Adagietto (Sehr Langsam)

5. Sym No.5 in c#; Part III: Fifth Mvt-Rondo-Finale (Allegro)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stylish and individual, but entirely Mahler too, March 24, 2000

By 

RaabH "Rob" (USA) - See all my reviews

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

After hearing Gatti's superb Mahler Fourth I invested in this CD as well. I was not disappointed. Gatti has an individual way with Mahler, but there is never any sense that he is taking undue liberties or distorting the music. Indeed, I suspect that Mahler himself would be very approving of this kind of stylish performance. (Well, better this than the drab literalism of, say, a Gilbert Kaplan!)

Gatti grabs attention even with the opening notes. The rhythmic snap of the trumpet solo is a little startling at first, but then seems entirely right. And the rest of the performance distinguishes itself with the same combination of deep feeling and fresh perspective. In no way does Gatti short-change the "big moments." Indeed, when the chorale theme swells and ardently blooms at the end of the last movement, it brings as much of a tingle to the spine as one could ever hope to experience.

Gatti is a huge find, a conductor who undoubtedly will be making a name for himself in years to come. I hope he continues to explore the Mahler canon. What do you say, BMG -- how about the Second next?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Dynamic Yet, December 9, 2007

By 

Hannibal (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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

It's been quite a few years since I first heard and bought this magnificent performance of Mahler's mighty Fifth Symphony, and nothing has since appeared to dislodge it as the very best available to the public.

I think it fair to say that this symphony is most famous because of its Adagio which was used unforgettably in the movies and at President Kennedy's funeral. However, the vast majority of the score contains thunderous fortissimos and dynamically stirring allegros - in short, most exciting stuff. And this, Gatti delivers better than anyone else.

WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THIS PERFORMANCE, HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS! - YOU'RE IN FOR A GREAT RIDE. E-TICKET. - BUY IT.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A young man's Mahler, fresh and often impetuous, October 26, 2005

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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

The young Gatti made his mark by revitalizing familiar works, adding his own fresh take. Like Gustavo Dudamel, who has recently released his own bright-eyed, impetuous Mahler Fifth, Gatti's is highly expressive and free in its phrasing. The first movement is a bit stop and go, but after that Gatti shoots straight ahead, opting for thrills in the fast parts and heart on sleeve in the slow ones. The Royal Phil. isn't up to the Berlin Phil. in executing Mahler's demanding orchestral writing, and the ensemble turns a little helter-skelter at times, but the playing sounds committed and involved (unlike, say, the playing that Maazel gets from the Vienna Phil. on Sony). The recording is clear, if not remarkable, and serves the score well. In any event, a fine Mahler Fifth that succeeds through the conductor's considerable imagination and enthusiasm for the music.

P.S. 2010 -the above review was written when Gatti had peaked, traveling among the major orchestras as a Mahler specialist. His reputation hasn't risen since then, and his tenure at the Royal Phil. wasn't the galvanizing event that it could have been. The problem, I suspect, isn't entirely his. We live in an era where the Mahler Fifth has been recorded more successfully than the Beethoven Fifth. In the Sixties this recording would have seemed astonishing, but today it seems very good but not inspired.