Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, Rudolf Barshai - Mahler: Symphony No. 10 & No. 5 (2003)

Simply put, this set is a treasure that is also a bargain. Two masterful performances by Barshai and the outstanding Junge Deutsche Philharmonie (a youth orchestra playing like a world class orchestra), both performances among the best available versions of each work.

Mahler's unfinished score for his Tenth symphony has been ably projected and realized in performing editions of (most commonly) Deryck Cooke, Joe Wheeler, Clinton Carpenter, Remo Mazzetti, and others. Performances of the Tenth are now commonplace, and there are numerous recordings, many compelling.

The Rudolf Barshai edition of the Mahler Tenth stands above all others. Both the score and this performance have earned lavish critical praise, and justifiably so. It is not only the most complete vision of the Tenth sketch, it is the only one that winds up sounding skeletal, gimpy or wrong. It is the only one that penetrates, and that sounds and feels like full blown Mahler, fleshed out. This performance blooms, emotes, soars, plumbs the depths, and captures every subtlety and mood. The fact that Barshai leads a youth orchestra---performing on par with the finest world class orchestras on earth--- simply adds to the magic of this recording.

Barshai's treatment of the first and third movements, the adagio and purgatorio, which were completed by Mahler, are as fine as any. The scherzo is full of rustic flavor and snarl, with bold orchestration. There is no fourth movement allegro pesante more powerful or exciting than Barshai's, who delivers the perfect amount of bite and swagger. Barshai's finale, where many other austere skeletal interpretations literally fall apart, absolutely stands alone. It is epic, sublime, and poignant beyond belief. In a performance that goes from strength to even greater strengths, to a summit with the finale, it is Barshai's Tenth where you hear the culmination of Mahler, as it is meant to be.

This recording is a testament to the brilliance of both Mahler and Barshai is a treasure, never to be equaled. It surpasses the Sanderling and Simon Rattle recordings of the Cooke in every aspect.

Barshai and the Junge Deutsche also deliver magic with an inspired live Mahler Fifth. Barshai is supremely insightful, revealing all aspects of the architecture of the (quite schizophrenic or Janus-faced) symphony with skill, and the orchestra is brilliant. Clarity, grit and toughness is nicely balanced with the sunnier Wunderhorn movements. Although the opening trumpet call is not the most overwhelming, the proceedings become great after the first 25 seconds. The first two movements are tough, dark, intense and vehement. The abrupt mood swing into the warmth of the Scherzo is handled well. The Adagietto is moving and beautiful, but not drawn out or maudlin. The Rondo-Finale is spacious and sunlit, and triumphant.

There are dozens of good Mahler Fifths, too many to list: Horenstein, Gatti, Schwarz, Gielen, Shipway, etc. are just a few favorite interpreters. Barshai’s easily stands with the best.

I highly recommend these two benchmark quality recordings, whether purchased in this set, or separately.