M5 / Gürzenich / Stenz on SACD

[Phaedrus]

Hello everybody,

I ordered this SACD and got it at last tuesday. I listened to 2 channel SACD, and I must say, this is DEFINITELY the best sounding SACD I have heard so far, and I've heard quite a few. The recording sounds extremely open and provides, in 2 channel, almost a holographic insight in the orchestra. I never expected this kind of quality from a rather small label such as OEHMS classic.

The sacd is presented together with a booklet of other OEHMS productions, the SACD contains a booklet about the M5, Markus Stenz and the history of the Gürzenich Orchestra. The "same" Gürzenich Orchestra who premiered the 5th under the baton of Gustav Mahler himself in Cologne on October 18th 1904. A nice touch is that a programme sheet of the first performance of M5 is in the tray of the cd case.

The Gürzenich Orchestra play this to the hilt, the musical lines are clearly audible, even the smallest percussion instruments and effects are clearly audible. It is this lifelike presentation that really sucks you in and moves you. You feel as if they want to take risks, go way beyond the notes, to bring this music to life. In my opinion, they won.

Two minor squibbles if I may: The ritardando in Part 2 at about 12.40 minutes (sorry guys, no score at hand) might have been a tad bigger and the start of the Adagietto seems a bit fast but then settles to a very nice pace.

I will treasure this recording for a long time and am interested in your findings.

Best regards from NL!

Phaedrus

[James Meckley]

Thanks for the review, Phaedrus. I'll be anxious to hear how this interpretation compares with his earlier effort from Australia, which I thought was well nigh perfect. To have that interpretive approach coupled with sound of the quality you describe would be wonderful.

James

[Phaedrus]

Thank you James, all I can say is that there is a kind of organic flow of the music, everything fits like a glove. Stenz takes you on a journey through every bar and makes everything sound so natural, so evident and you are immersed in this wonderful world of sound. If the Australian performance is anything like this, then you are in for a real treat.

Best regards from NL,

Phaedrus

[barry guerrero]

Thanks for the report. Naxos will be distributing this Oehms cycle in the U.S., so I intend to pick it up at one of the two places that I work at. Apparently, Naxos will be distributing the BR label (Bayrerische Rundfunks) that has that Jansons M7 recording. I'll probably pick that up too.

Barry

[Phaedrus]

Hello Barry,

I am very interested in your opinion. I am convinced it'll go very high on your list.
Best regards,

Phaedrus

[sperlsco]

I previously ordered this one along with the Mehta M5, Nott M9, and Janson M7 SACD's from JPC in Germany.  Since the Jansons M7 is not released until next week, though, I've still got a couple of weeks before I can hear any of them.  Fortunately, I just received the Gilbert M9 -- so I have some new Mahler to listen to this Sunday morning.   

[barry guerrero]

I do already have a "burn job" of Stenz's M5 on the ABC Classics label, and it's truly at the top of my list. Considering that fact, I suppose it's rather silly that I want to get the Oehms one also. But then again, the Gurzenich Orch. did do the world premiere of M5 around 1905 - not that that really matters. The Gurzenich Orch. has already recorded a very good M5 with James Conlon (EMI), so they've already the notes under their fingers, for certain.

Barry

[Russ Smiley]

.... The Gurzenich Orch. has already recorded a very good M5 with James Conlon (EMI), so they've already the notes under their fingers, for certain.

Barry

I liked that recording except for the overly prominent cymbal at the very start.  Bugged me every time I listened. FWIW, I like Conlon's symphonic Zemlinsky recordings, too.