Track Listing

1. Part One, Movement I: Trauermarsch. In gemessenem Schritt. Streng. Wie ein Kondukt
2. Movement II: Stürmisch bewegt. Mit größter Vehemenz
3. Part Two, Movement III: Scherzo. Kräftig, nicht zu schnell
4. Part Three, Movement IV: Adagietto. Sehr langsam
5. Movement V: Rondo - Finale. Allegro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89438 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com essential recording
Mahler's Fifth was one of the pieces Leonard Bernstein owned. This interpretation is broader than the one he recorded with the New York Philharmonic in the early 1960s, but it's little changed in feeling. It is, however, far more polished and a good deal more persuasive. The recording, like all of Bernstein's later Mahler cycle, was made live; here, he and the Vienna Philharmonic give a gripping performance full of telling nuance, intensely expressive yet thoroughly controlled. It's a reading both Dionysiac and "Bachic"--as in J. S. Bach, not Bacchus--one in which the impetuous energy of the score is transmitted to the fullest degree, but not at the expense of the extraordinary (for Mahler) contrapuntal detail. Most remarkable of all, perhaps, is Bernstein's sureness of touch, his ability to realize the many little expressive gestures that no longer merely draw attention to themselves the way they used to, but add up to something miraculous. The Philharmonic players, with him all the way, contribute many wonderful touches, especially the strings. The recording, made not in Vienna but in Frankfurt's Alte Oper, is solid and has remarkable impact. While the bass is a bit diffuse and the sound stage not the clearest, the image is reasonably detailed and well balanced, the atmosphere good. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Bernstein's DG Recording Indelibly Marks You
I immediately bought this recording after hearing Pierre Boulez's performance of the Fifth on the radio. Why, then, did I buy Lenny? I went to Bernstein first for two reasons: for the most part, I am nearly always satisified by him. Second, I was well aware of his historic effort to reintroduce Mahler into the repertoire after decades of wrongful neglect.

At first, I did not know what to make of Lenny's version of the Fifth. The Boulez I heard was so precisely technical and straightforward that I could not reconcile it with all the power, idiosyncracy, and heart-on-your-sleeve emotion of Bernstein. Finally, after about a third or fourth hearing, I had an epiphany- -I finally knew that I loved this recording and would never be satisfied by another. I was indelibly stamped and will always recommend it to others. Just as well, I have been told that Lenny's DG version of the Fifth as well as Barbirolli's EMI recording typically elicit such strong reactions. Of whom you prefer oftentimes relies on which one you heard first.

In fact, I have gotten my once skeptical friend into Mahler after leasing him this recording. This is a fine testament to this recording and Mahler because my friend already had Mahler's Fourth but did not care for it; thus he concluded that Mahler was not worth the money. Now, not only does he believe in Mahler, but I, myself, now have all of Mahler's symphonies.

Must be heard, even if not liked
This is one of the important Mahler recordings, even if it may not be the best. The reason is that this is the essence of the pairing of Mahler and Bernstein. The conductor's willful, extremely personal way with this music is not to everyone's liking, and that includes dedicated Mahlerians, but anyone who cares about the composer must be aware of Bernstein's approach, and this is the one disc that encapsulates it best.

From the opening entrance of the full orchestra, it's clear that this is Bernstein. The weight, the exaggeration, the expression and sense of tragedy are unmistakable. Likewise in the scherzo which is bright, brilliant, and at times just on the verge of losing control. The adagietto is, of course, Bernstein and Mahler to the nth degree, powerfully emotive, like it or not. The orchestra plays brilliantly, the sound is incredible full and alive. Appreciate it, if not enjoy it - and I would recommend the equally wonderful and very different live recording by Abbado and the BPO, which is a perfect counterweight.

Very good Mahler
This Bernstein/VPO recording of Mahler's 5th symphony is one of the best. I read the review of the person who was disapointed by it and some of his comments are valid. There are times here in this recording where the VPO's intonation is not perfect and perhaps a moment or 2 of rough ensemble. I would say however except for the Berlin Philharmonic or possible Concertgebouw, playing of this caliber is hard to find.

I saw this partnership perform this very piece in San Francisco and it was a great performance.

I feel to, that this recording is a great performance and some of the best Mahler Bernstein gave us. It is to be much perferred over his earlier record with the New York Philharmonic and is much more succesful than some of the other symphonies he recorded in New York.

This disc is one of the best in his DG series with out a doubt...only the sixth in the same cycle is of equal merit.