Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Daniel Barenboim (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (October 27, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B00000DHJ1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,382 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, October 25, 1999

By A Customer

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

This is a great performance. I think this is one of the best recordings of this work available now. Movements 1-4 are especially well done, and my only complaint about the last movement is that the tempi seem a little too slow in certain sections. Barenboim does make the finale more exciting, however, by putting an accelerando in during the last statement of the theme, which is different and also more interesting than just holding the same tempo till the end, as most conductors typically do. The Chicago Symphony plays more accurately than the Vienna Phil did for the Bernstein recording, and the brass section, in particular, sounds really spectacular.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vast improvement over Solti, March 4, 2000

By 

emmkay (Illinois) - See all my reviews

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

This is my favorite Mahler 5. From Solti's two recordings I already knew that the CSO is in a class of its own in this piece. Yet, I always found Solti's tempos a bit restless and inappropriately fast, particularly in the first and fourth movements. Here with Barenboim we have a far better reading. I know no other recording that is more true to the score. The CSO has such a phenomenal sense of ensemble that you can hear every line without ever sacrificing togetherness. Add to that a range of dynamics and a palette of colors no other orchestra can match. The only thing better is to hear them live...

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing!!, March 12, 2001

By 

S.A. Tiger "John" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews

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

This recording enters a catalog full of great performances. But I can't imagine a better performance than the one presented on this disc. The first movement begins with an unaccompanied trumpet solo. As far as notes and rhythms are concerned, the solo is not difficult. But the fact that this is an unaccompanied solo and the fact that it is the first notes heard in the symphony causes even the most talented soloists to sweat. After all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression in a live performance. The soloist in this recording makes a great first impression. One senses a natural unfolding of the solo. The beautiful tone quality achieved by the soloist forshadows the playing of the orchestra to come. The Chicago Symphony plays so flawlessly that you won't believe it's a live recording. Just listen to the lower strings at the beginning of the second movement. They play with incredible intensity. I like the slower tempo taken by Barenboim in this movement. It makes the music sound fresh. Let's face it. This is a complicated, noisy movement that can sound muddy if played by those less capable. Under Barenboim's steady hand, the tempo never drags. The Adagietto is moving, especially the final bars. Again, the basses shine at the end of the movement. The final movement, like the second, can be mishandled. Once again, Barenboim adopts a slower tempo which allows for more intensity and clarity. Of course, the CSO is famous for it's brass section. Brass fans will not be disappointed. In spite of the bombastic nature of this symphony (that is a good thing), the clarity of the recorded sound is amazing, probably thanks to rather close microphone placement. Unfortunately, it exposes a few minor mistakes from the percussion section. Hey, nobody's perfect. The cover photo is cool too. Nice packaging. Informative notes in three languages and a roster of the CSO. I put it at the top of the catalog.