I've read so much praise about this CD over the years that I finally bought it. The playing is nowhere near immaculate (not that I'm surprised) and the overall fluency and tempos are boring. Where the performance is saved is the 4th movement- the intensity is incredible. Perhaps it's worth it to have 3 bad movements in exchange for 1 of the greatest ever.
Fortunately, I obtained the recent BPO recording with Abbado. There is no question that Berlin is FAR superior now than it ever was. They are able to toss off the most incredible passages with computer-like precision, but also a richness that Karajan (at least not on record) never achieved. As a string player, I'm aware of the high-wire acts the Berlin strings put on, and they put every other orchestra to shame. The winds are full of character, while the brass and percussion are equal to the Chicago Symphony in its prime.
Last but not least, Abbado proves the himself as the greatest Mahler conductor of his generation. Karajan, as much as I admire him, did not bring the same commitment to Mahler as he did to many other composers (especially opera).
I've read so much praise about this CD over the years that I finally bought it. The playing is nowhere near immaculate (not that I'm surprised) and the overall fluency and tempos are boring. Where the performance is saved is the 4th movement- the intensity is incredible. Perhaps it's worth it to have 3 bad movements in exchange for 1 of the greatest ever. Fortunately, I obtained the recent BPO recording with Abbado. There is no question that Berlin is FAR superior now than it ever was. They are able to toss off the most incredible passages with computer-like precision, but also a richness that Karajan (at least not on record) never achieved. As a string player, I'm aware of the high-wire acts the Berlin strings put on, and they put every other orchestra to shame. The winds are full of character, while the brass and percussion are equal to the Chicago Symphony in its prime. Last but not least, Abbado proves the himself as the greatest Mahler conductor of his generation. Karajan, as much as I admire him, did not bring the same commitment to Mahler as he did to many other composers (especially opera).