This Fifth symphony is the first of two recordings Klaus Tennstedt made for EMI, both with the London Philharmonic. It was considered revelatory when it first appeared in 1979 (establishing Tennstedt as a major Mahler contender), and it remains just as potent today–a reading of tremendous power and deep feeling. The great eruption following the first movement’s opening trumpet voluntary sets the tone for the entire performance, as does the frenzied development that wails with an anguish rarely heard on disc (or off). Best of all is the scherzo, where Tennstedt demands and gets some stunningly full-throated playing from the London Philharmonic brass. In fact the orchestra sounds exceptionally alert and flexible throughout, the occasional sour trumpet tone and cracked horn notes notwithstanding. EMI’s dynamically rich and well balanced analog recording comes off well in this new remastering, even if the transfer reveals occasional instances of tape saturation.
Recorded early in EMI’s digital era, Tennstedt’s Das Lied von der Erde originally suffered from a glassy harshness in the three tenor songs. Thankfully, this new remastering smooths the edges considerably–and it’s a good thing, for this is an exceptionally fine performance. Both Klaus König and Agnes Baltsa are in fine form, with Baltsa especially radiant in Der Abschied. Tenndstedt once again conducts with deep passion (okay, so the galloping episode in Von de Schonheit is a trifle stiff), and all sections of the London Philharmonic go full-out for him with powerfully dynamic playing. An unusual coupling yes, but a profoundly rewarding one, and unbeatable at the two-fer price.
