Mahler 5

Linkoping, I find Solti's Mahler under-rated by many - he may not dig as deeply into it aas some but it certainly doesn't lack a certain excitement (and, in general, I'm not a Solti enthusiast). If you don't already have it try Tennstedt's M5 on LP, the recording isn't perfect but the performance is excellent - he puts a lot of bite and drama in his Mahler, all of his Mahler is well worth having in your collection. I share you apparent opinion of Barbirolli. I put it on when I want to take a nap. BTW I think the Inbal/Frankfort is on Denon, at least it is on CD, and to my knowledge there is no relationship between them and Phillip's. Or did Inbal record this twice?

Shventus, I am unaware that the Inbul M5 was available on LP. Wasn't it recorded in the 80's? I agree it is excellent, as is his M3, M8, and M10, in fact the whole series on CD isn't too shabby!

Slightly off topic, but since Megasam mentioned Bernstein, the one Bernstein performance that I consistently go back to is his live M9 with the Berliner Philharmoniker (1979). This is one of the most exciting M9 I have in my collection and totally unlike his Vienna performance (also on DG) or his NYPO series. If you have never heard it, try to do so.