Haitink/RCO/Pentatone M5th SACD...absolutely stunning sound!

[Leo K]

This CD is another gift I got with my X-Mas money while I was in Orlando, FLorida.

I am new to this particular performance, a wonderful tight performance of this grand work, but parts of it made me jump such was the impact of the sound of this SACD (I heard the stereo SACD layer)...the sound of the incredible RCO is SOOOOO well captured and so vivid that I feel I know this work better.  Never have I heard the percussion sound so terrifying, and I am even more impressed at Mahler's intuition for color and contrast in the first two movements. The Scherzo is utter beauty, the plucked bass notes ring like an echo in the alps, the solo horn is so evocative in tone and personality. The Adagietto is unlike any sound recording I have heard, the sound is so opened it's like hearing the personality of every string player at once, the bow on the strings clearly provide breathtaking texture and atmopshere.  Likewise the Finale is atmospheric, with the personality of the woodwinds full of dance and joy...the basses so rich and embracing.

This is easily my top M5, tied with the Tennsedt live in Osaka M5.  MTT's SACD M5 can't even compare to the sound of this Pentatone release.

If you already like this M5 I highly recommend this SACD.

--Leo

[John Kim]

Thanks for the report. I recall I was not all that impressed with the recording which was available in the integral set of Haitink's RCO Mahler cycle. But I know sound can make a big difference in any Mahler recording.

John,

[barry guerrero]

I've always liked Haitink's very first M5. I've always felt that it was under-rated. It was the second M5 that I ever owned - on vinyl - after the equally fine Kubelik one on DG. Hopefully, Pentatone will do Haitink's very first M7 - a great performance that fits comfortably on one disc.

[John Kim]

I've always liked Haitink's very first M5. I've always felt that it was under-rated. It was the second M5 that I ever owned - on vinyl - after the equally fine Kubelik one on DG. Hopefully, Pentatone will do Haitink's very first M7 - a great performance that fits comfortably on one disc.

But isn't it true that this M5 sounds so great in the SACD format because it was originally recorded in Quadra Sound? Ditto the M8th? Anyway, I hope they'll give the same treat to Haitink's RCO M3rd.

John,

[barry guerrero]

John,

I don't know a thing about those recordings having been done in "quadra-sound". Perhaps someone else could enlighten us.

[akiralx]

This was the first Mahler CD I owned, and I liked the performance very much - I haven't returned to it for a few years but I may have to get this SACD.

[nickmolland]

Yes, they were recorded in quadrophonic (for those who remember....) and the four tracks have enabled remixing in multichannel SACD. I wasn't that struck with the M8 myself - perhaps I need to give it another listen?

[John Kim]

Haitink's RCO recording of M6th is also pretty darn good, an underrated performance that may find its shining day when converted to the SACD format. What the Philips digital remastering lacks in this Mahler cycle are the wide dynamic range, the deep acoustic ambiance as well as minute details, all of which the original LPs were capable of delivering to the listener. I have a CDR that I transferred from Haitink's RCO M9th and it sounds decidedly better than the CD reincarnation. Going back to the M6th, it may not have Bernstein's manic energy but has a beautiful structure, wonderful transitions (of mood and tempos whenever necessary), and above all the fabulous Concertgebouw playing at their peak.

John,

[Leo K]

Sounds like it's better to get Haitink's older cycle on LP then, thanks for this information.  I listened to this M5 again the other night and was amazed by Haitink's structuring and the refined playing of the RCO, captured very well on this quad recording.


--Leo

[barry guerrero]

I've been arguing for years that Haitink's first Mahler recordings are still his best, with the exception of some of the live X-mas Matinee ones. I completely agree with Dave Hurwitz: Haitink was better when he hadn't yet formed his own opinions about how Mahler's music should go.

[Leo K]

Of the Kerst matinee concerts you mention Barry, which performances on that set are the best?  Or anyone else?


--Leo

[barry guerrero]

To tell you the truth, I recieved some burnt copies of the matinee concerts, then lost them!!! I thought that the 3rd, 7th, and 9th were really good. But then again, his first M3 and M7 were really good as well. The matinee 9th struck me as being much better. As I said, I'd love for Pentatone to get their hands on Haitink's first M7 recording.