best mahler no. 5

Kevziek is correct that Bernstein has some excesses and idiosyncrasies, not the least of which is on good system you can hear him humming to himself on occasion. I have always wondered since Mahler was very concerned with religion, and his music often conveys religious ideals, if a jewish conductor like Bernstein has special insights into Mahlers music?

I own six different Mahler's Fifth, and my favorite is Solti's Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1970 (London). Very emotionally involving. You need a good system to play it. Try playing it on a so-so system and the sound just falls apart. The bass tympanis at the end of Movement 1 (Trauermarsch) just become distorted noise. On a highly resolved system, the impact is entirely different. Highly recommended.

thank for the the big help meni

I have Solti's Chicago 1970 LP for more than 20 years and did not have chance to compare it with Haitink. I agree with Vtvu; it is very emotionally involving.

I second the recommendations for both the Solti and Haitink. I've often thought old Bernard didn't get the critical acclaim I feel he deserves less because of the Concertgebouw and his work and more because he wasn't idiosyncratic enough, i.e., too conventional. (His Bruckner cycle is also very, very good.)