Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014)
Full BluRay 1:1 | BDMV | 1080i MPEG-4 AVC @ 18001 kbps; 29,970 fps | 73:37 (concert) | 27:32 (bonus) | 23.40 GB
Audio1: DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4012 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio2: LPCM 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Genre: Classical | Bonus Subtitles: English, German, Japanese, Korean

"A stunning example of how good the Blu-ray format can be in bringing the listener into the concert hall. Long-term symphonic audiophiles will be delighted with the sense of actual participation with orchestra and hall. Part of this success comes from the excellent miking techniques that produce enough presence so you can closely examine soloists while, at the same time, the general ambience of the orchestra and hall are always to be heard. The visual accuracy is so good you can read the scores in front of the performers. Almost as good as a trip to Leipzig!" – Gramophone, 2014

In his preparations for this performance Chailly made a detailed study of the recording made by Mengelberg in 1926 as well as Mendelberg's highly detailed and annotated notes on his conducting score. Mendelberg was closely connected to Mahler at this time and this makes him an important source of information and guidance. The most significant point of difference made compared with more modern performances is the faster pacing, especially as regards the slow movement. Mendelberg took just 7 minutes for this movement which is a far cry from some of the more indulgent tempi favoured by some conductors. Chailly takes about 8.5 minutes on this occasion and this is 1.5 minutes quicker than his previous CD recording.

The slow movement is, in fact, closely identified to Alma Mahler with a verse sub-text which rhythmically fits the melodic flow - demonstrated by Chailly in the detailed and engrossing accompanying and musically illustrated documentary. There is reason to view this movement as, in effect, a marriage proposal with all the pace of tempo that one would expect. Pacing throughout is forward moving with a clear emphasis upon clarity of musical structure. This moves steadily towards an undoubted optimistic conclusion despite the first movement's dramatic and sombre 'Trauermarsch' heading. As Chailly comments, tempi of all sorts of music tend to slow down with added familiarity and what he does here is to return to the original intentions backed up by historical references, recorded and written.

The playing of the orchestra is beyond peer and the recording is superlative in all respects. The imaging is sharp and engaging and the sound is presented in DTS HD 5.1 as well as stereo.

There is a 27 minute documentary during which Chailly fully justifies his approach with copious illustrations taken from rehearsal sequences as well as historical references. This is an excellent piece of research and a truly valuable bonus feature.

"Chailly offers rewarding insights–in both performance and discussion–into Mahler's Fifth Symphony." –November 2014 Gramophone Editor's Choice

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhaus Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No 5 (2014) [Blu-ray]

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