Search - Mahler, Joseph Heller, Dohnanyi :: Mahler: Symphony No.5 Penguin Classics

Near-perfect balance of lyricism and power

madamemusico | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 04/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having never liked Mahler's Fifth as much as 1-4 and the 6th, I approached this recording with some trepidation. To my ears, Boulez was too cerebral, Bernstein too hysterical, and Barbirolli too rhythmically loose. But Dohnanyi, one of the most underrated conductors of our time (the others being Chailly and Mackerras) gives here an outstanding performance of the symphony, finding an incredibly valid mid-point between lyrical warmth and muscular power. My one complaint was the second movement, which is not quite as frightening as one might like, yet the way Dohnanyi finishes his phrases and connects the disparate sections of each movement leave one breathless with wonder. And what spectacular sonics!! One can hear every inner voice as clearly as on those old Toscanini recordings. At one point in the first movement, for instance, there is a wide-spread-out chord played by the full orchestra. At that moment, one can hear every note in the chord and every instrument playing it, as clearly as if it were 3-D. Unbelievable! Along with his sparkling Mendelssohn recordings, this CD is a wonderful performance by a fabulous conductor who understands musicality, phrasing, tempo and FEELING, above all feeling which, after all, is what Mahler is all about. Highly recommended!"

Lovely Performance

Feller who likes Old Yeller | Webster, NY | 03/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Cleveland Symphony under Dohnanyi does a smashing job with Mahler's 5th Symphony on this disc. This is a very disciplined and polished performance with exemplary ensemble playing. Every inner part in Mahler's often crowded texture comes through clear as a bell, with excellent tone quality and intonation. For this reason, this would be an excellent recording to use for score study. This is also a very exciting and emotionally moving performance, always with a palpable energy. The orchestra is always completely engaged with the music, never allowing a dull moment.Being an orchestra musician myself, many orchestra recordings sound a bit dull to me because on stage things always sound a bit brighter than they do out in the hall. But this sounds a touch trebly even to my ears. When I listen to this, I generally adjust the tone controls on my equipment to compensate and everything sounds just fine. But I feel a good recording should sound realistic on good equipment with all the knobs and dials set to neutral. That's why I give four stars and not five.An excellent value though. If you don't mind fiddling with the knobs on your stereo, it would be difficult to find a better recording for the price."

A Controversial, But Commanding Performance

Mark Jordan | Gambier, Ohio, USA | 09/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not everyone will take to Dohnanyi's way with Mahler 5. It is very tautly driven, much more so than any other recording of this piece ever made. But yet the conductor's control is so sure, it doesn't turn into a scramble. It's hard to say exactly what it is that makes this performance so compelling-- It isn't just the tempo (there are faster versions out there), it isn't the handling of rhythm (others spring the rhythms more)-- perhaps it's the sheer force of life-affirming personality that makes this recording grab me and not let go until the end. When it's over, I feel like I've experienced something that reminds me what a joy it is to be alive. From a glowering first movement, to a pulse-pounding second movement, to the crazy waltz of the scherzo, to a tender, glowing Adagietto, and at last to a lively finale, I wouldn't want to be without this recording."