Search - Gustav Mahler, Hermann Scherchen, ORTF Chamber Orchestra :: Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Cut, but wow!

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 12/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Penguin Guide massacred this performance. Simply put, they are wrong.A word of warning: if you are wedded to the idea that the only listenable performances are those that are uncut, then this disc is not for you. (Neither are early performances of Rachmaninoff's 2nd, most recordings of Gliere's 3rd Symphony, or, for that matter, Mahler 10). If you want superb music-making and can handle a massive cut, this disc is a gem. Some movements are horribly cut, witness the third is reduced by 2/3rds. Reviewers guess that's because of trying to fit the performance for a radio broadcast. Whatever, this cut, and some other minor ones, are handled very well.I was guided to Scherchen's Mahler 5 from a Mahler enthusiast, and while there are other Scherchen Mahler 5s that are uncut, this one is definitely worth a listen. The enthusiastic applause at the end is certainly warranted-for the music making. Certainly NOT because of any lack of musical understanding. After all, if they knew it was a for a limited radio broadcast, then they were evaluating the music...not the lack of a part of a movement.There are plenty of fine Mahler 5ths out there, and while Barbirolli should probably be first on your shelf, this one stands as a unique artistic document. You've never heard Mahler like this, and it's electrifying and mesmerizing!The orchestra is not world class, but neither are they terrible.If you want an uncut Scherchen Mahler 5, hold out for his performance with the scrappy Vienna State Opera Orchestra, which even excels this one. There are other S. Mahler 5's out there, but I haven't heard them all. Yet.Enthusiastically recommended."

Mind Blowing; forget the cut!

M. Abidari | US | 08/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a phenomenal and extraordinary Mahler 5th; a kind of interpretation that has died out by now. The symphony is played with extreme rubato, an unpredictable ocean of tumultuous storm and chrystaline calm, all through a seamless voyage. It is a spiritual roller coaster. Scherchen was definitely of "the phrase, not the beat" school--like Furtwangler. There was nothing metronomic about his Mahler, particularly in live performances such as this one. In fact stylistically this performance reminds me of another 5th, Beethoven's, in Furtwangler's war-time concert from Berlin, in which the frenzy and fury practically drive the finale out of control. Amidst all this Scherchen sees the adagietto as the calm in the eye of the storm. It is 13 minutes of creamy sublime beauty. The ORTF orchestra plays beautifully.



The regretful things about the scherzo cut is that it is the best part of the movement. Oh well ... Scherchen's studio recording on Westminster is complete, and interpretively in the same vein, but not as manic as this live one.



No conductor today dares to play Mahler in this way. Even in this 1965 concert, the explosion of applause at the end from the audience at Elysee Theater is sprinkled with some boos.



It looks like this CD may be going out of print. Don't Wait; snap it up! And then get the complete one on Westminster!"