Mahler - Symphony 5 (Mahler - Symphony No 5)

Member Name: Macfarlane65

Product:	Mahler - Symphony No 5
Date:	03/08/08 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: yes

Disadvantages: slight

This is a lovely, natural, well-paced, fresh performance with very idiomatic singing from Maria Tauberova in the final movement. The playing is vintage Czech Phil. - rustic woodwind, mellow brass and very characterful string playing. There is a problem, and that is in the recording, which is usually clear and natural, like the performance, though old (1950). Just occasionally, though, the level drops, and that affects a couple of major climaxes, which is a pity. I suspect that with a bit of judicious electronic tweaking, this could be attended to, and I hope it will if/when a reissue appears. For now, 5-star performance just a little flawed by the sound. Overall a splendid performance, and a well written score with lovely contrast both in timbre and texture. The total experience is quite moving on the ears, and i highly recommend this particular rendition to any classical music lover.

Four out of Five.

Summary: -