WGBH Radio WGBH Radio theclassicalstation.org

Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Mahler / Npo / Barbirolli
Release Date: 02/26/2013 
Label:  Warner Classics   Catalog #: 332902   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Gustav Mahler
Conductor:  Sir John Barbirolli
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 14 Mins. 

Low Stock: Currently 3 or fewer in stock. Usually ships in 24 hours, unless stock becomes depleted.  

Works on This Recording

1.
Symphony no 5 in C sharp minor by Gustav Mahler
Conductor:  Sir John Barbirolli
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1901-1902; Vienna, Austria 
 Venue:  Watford Town Hall 
Length: 73 Minutes 43 Secs. 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Fabulous Legendary Recording! August 21, 2014 By Henry S. (Springfield, VA) See All My Reviews "Although I own several excellent CD's of Mahler's 5th Symphony, I had always been curious about the enormous critical acclaim surrounding Sir John Barbirolli's 1969 recording with the New Philharmonia Orchestra, which explains why I decided to add it to the collection... and I'm happy I did. What an absolute stunner this recording turned out to be; everything written about this 45 year old recording is true. Intensity, focus, turbulence, clarity, passion, and definitive resolution- it's all there, and the sound of this EMI recording is world class. The stereo separation in particular seemed to me to be close to perfect; you really feel like you're on the conductor's podium. Barbirolli does not push the tempo; rather, he seems to opt for a more measured, luxurious pace, which sounds totally appropriate. A good example of this is the central Scherzo, the 3rd movement, which at 18 minutes is a real revelation that grabs you and holds you in thrall for the entire extended movement. Needless to say, the New Philharmonia's sound is velvety smooth- strings are finely articulated, winds are in their elements, brass is powerful but not overbearing, and the contribution of the percussion (especially the timpani) is spot on. In short, this IS one of the finest recordings of Mahler's great 5th Symphony you will ever encounter; the fact that it is analog and not digital is totally irrelevant, as the sound is fully the equal of the finest digital recordings. I'm sure that many serious Arkivmusic customers already own a Mahler 5th or two, with which they are undoubtedly very satisfied. However, it you don't own this huge masterpiece, or you want another supreme account of this symphony to add to your collection, the Barbirolli reading literally screams out for consideration. Highest possible recommendation!!!" Report Abuse
Review This Title
Review This Title Share on Facebook