Zdenek Mácal leads an exceptionally well played yet somewhat lightweight Mahler Fifth. The first two movements proceed in an almost gingerly fashion, with the funeral march sounding more like a leisurely stroll and the volatile second movement displaying little of the ferocity Bernstein regularly brought to it. Macal sets a surprisingly casual pace for the great central scherzo, and it's here that the Czech Philharmonic really struts its stuff, with gorgeous wind playing and those marvelous mellow-toned horns featured prominently throughout. Following a slow, tenderly phrased and nicely proportioned Adagietto, Macal caps off the reading with a brisk and spirited finale. The recording successfully captures the spacious acoustics of the Rudolfinum, offering solid presence and satisfying impact. So, we have a Mahler Fifth that does everything it's supposed to do--but if you prefer to be enthralled rather than just entertained, I suggest you go for the Bernstein, or Kubelik's recently issued live performance on Audite.

--Victor Carr Jr