I think this is a beautiful and profound Mahler 5. Some of Mazzel's tempos are slow, even very slow. But the orchestral phrasing is always coherent and the playing never lacks for conviction. I find that this symphony is quite a different work in Maazel's hands than in many other conductors', notably Sinopoli and Bernstein. Maazel's performance is highly meditative. There is never the mad rush forward with orchestral dazzle that you hear elsewhere. Maazel's mastery of detail is consummate. He is known to be a superb baton technician, and you really can hear that mastery pay off on this disc. The orchestral balances are true and thrilling, and nothing ever drags. I must comment on the superb early digital sound. The true orchestral dynamics are captured with a faithfulness that is rare even nowadays. The tone colors are true, and the balance is superb. You might consider buying a more mainstream Mahler 5 if this is to be your first experience of the work, but Maazel's is definitely one you will want to hear repeatedly.
