Search - Gustav Mahler, Leonard Bernstein, Thomas Hampson :: Mahler: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5; Lieder

A complete steal!!

cmk | Oregon | 08/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, these two recordings, formerly available separately at full price each now come together in a set that's 2 for the price of one! Now, if the performances were only ok, it would be a good deal. But the performances are both easily two of the all time best performances of these 2 symphonies. I am so glad to see DG re-release these at a much cheaper price. These 2 performances are both from Leonard Bernstein's 2nd full Mahler cycle done for DG(the first having been done on Sony). This first symphony is my all time favorite recording. I like this one even more then Kubelik. Kubelik is more straightfoward, but Bernstein goes for the gut, and as he so often does, pulls it off remarkably. The Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam(try sayin that 3 times fast) give one of the most exilherating performances you're ever likely to hear. They're quiet and mysterious when they need to be, like in the very beginning and in the funeral march third movement and blazing when they need to be, like in the beginning of the finale. If the last few minutes don't completely blow you away, I really don't know what else will! The Fifth is also another edge-of-your-seat performance with the Vienna Philharmonic in top form playing great all the way through. Bernstein's interpretation, as with the first symphony, is the most dramatic and involved you'll probably ever hear. I would give a more detailed review, but just read the other reviews of these discs on their separate releases. I would just be echoing them. In conclusion, this one is a complete steal!!"

Great set ---- modest price

Ytzan | Athens, GR | 04/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was about time that Deutsche Grammophon combined this two great performances of Mahler's most known works. The "Titan" is apsolutely fantastic , well paced with the known Bernstein passion. The orchestra is at top form. I would consider this one along with Horenstein's account on Unicorn, the best available today. The Fifth belongs also to a category of its own. The Vienna strings are fabulous and the "Adagietto" brings tears to the eyes. Together with Barbirolli's account on EMI and Abbado's on DG they make the best accounts available."

THe Mahler Bargain of a lifetime

demien | U.S.A. | 06/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bernstein in his later wisdom filled years gives us a 1st symphony bursting with edge of your seat tension and bombast.

Each movement is played with passionate articulate phrasing and sharp precision to reveal the wondrous worlds of nature,ghouls,enigma,struggle, and triumph.

Bernstein does have a tendency to extend certain passages out for maximum effect but he does it successfully without any sense of routine or premeditation.

This 1st sounds totally spontaneous as it is live and it feels like it but Mahler's soundworld is kept sharply intact.

As for Mahler's 5th, expect an over the top milk it till it bleeds interpretation.

Bernstein digs and digs deep to uncover all of the darkness of the 1st movements funeral march with plenty of phrasing that makes the tragedy all the more vivid but natural unforced phrasing.

The 2nd movement is off the chain chaotic madness with the vpo whipping up a storm of violence and destruction and the scherzo counterpoint and waltz schizophrenia is brought forth with precision and style.

Now the Adaggietto is done very expansively as it lasts over 11 minutes but Bernstein knows how to pace and phrase it well enough to where it doesn't drag and the climactic concluding full string fortissimo really hits your heart when it finally kicks in.

Now some people say that Mahler intended this movement to be done in a slightly brisk manner as Mahler's student Bruno Walter interpreted it at about 8 minutes but Bernstein chooses to caress every note which doesn't erase the romantic love letter concept of the movement as one critic had mentioned but it actually enhances that concept.

The final rondo movements triumphant jovial spirit is aplenty with the v.p.o. again providing technical and musical fireworks and sounding as if they're having a ball doing it.

So in this 5th expect highly individualistic phrasing and dynamics from Bernstein with emotions teetering on the edge resulting in a most compelling and convincing performance.

The Lieder performed by Thomas Hampson is simply icing on the cake as he sings with wonderful heartfelt musical eloquence with Bernstein as his trusty and enthusiastic partner.

Trully a Bargain to scoop up before they yank it like they do so often in classical.

Happy Listening.



O.f."