Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 5
Riccardo Chailly
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
As Riccardo Chailly points out, “The Fifth begins with a dark, gloomy, and tragic tone, but then is enlivened in the Scherzo and Adagietto, and eventually ends with a more positive character in the Finale – perhaps for the last time in Mahler’s life. The Adagietto is a revelation, a spiritual oasis. It is not an expression of pain, but rather Mahler’s declaration of love to Alma – a song without words.“ With the Gewandhaus Orchestra, Chailly gives the piece an unsurpassed intensity of sound and emotional expression. He achieves a compelling arc of tension in which the symphony’s unique fascination unfolds. The Wiener Zeitung characterized Chailly’s interpretation as „impressive with powerful and unreserved intensity.“
BONUS: Riccardo Chailly on his interpretation of Mahler’s 5th Symphony
“Clarity with power, clear balances and ferocity combined: Riccardo Chailly’s latest Mahler Five surely has the best of all possible worlds for this comprehensive darkness-to-light epic.” – BBC Music Magazine
“This is an enthralling performance of Mahler Fifth, dauntingly intense, with much dramatic force and an impressive dynamic range. The Gewandhaus Orchestra give their all and the sound quality is superb as well.” – Pizzicato
