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Haitink Mahler 5 on DECCA Pure Analog

Almost bought this but figured I ask if anyone has heard this reissue. 

From product notes…

For this release Rainer Maillard at Emil Berliner Studios has used the original, four-track quadraphonic master tape to make a new stereo mix sent directly to the cutter head. This preserves a pure analogue path throughout. The Philips engineers of the 1970s would similarly have mixed the four front and rear channels before cutting but this downmix would have resulted in a two-track stereo copy for mastering, whereas here the lacquer is cut directly from a ’live’ mix into stereo from the four Quad channels.
 

Any feedback on the quality of recording and vinyl?

audphile1
mahler123
4,069 posts
 

I assume that this is with the Concertgebouw?  Bernie recorded this again in Berlin and there may be another version out there as well.

  I actually own this recording on Blu Ray, CD, and SACD.  I don’t think I ever owned it on vinyl.  The first time I ever heard Mahler 5 was when BH and the LPO were on tour in the mid seventies.  At the time I was just getting to know the Wunderhorn symphonies and the Fifth blew me away.  However I didn’t acquire this particular recording until Pentatone began releasing Phillips Quad recordings in SACD.  Years later Pure Audio released the Haitink/AmsterdamMahler set on Blu Ray and then relatively recently I bought the big door stopper Haitink Concertgebouw box so I have it in CD.

  I won’t however be spending more dosh to buy it on vinyl.  I did buy the DG vinyl reissue of Karajan in the Sixth, which imo doesn’t begin to approach the dynamic range and bass of the CD, which was slightly improved by the Japanese Tower Records of the SACD version.

  This probably doesn’t help you one iota.  When all is said and done this is a good recording but despite owning 3 versions of it there are several other versions that I prefer.  The competition is fierce here

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
8,095 posts
 

@mahler123 yes it is with Concertgebouw. And yes the competition is fierce with the 5th - I have several CD rips of it with different conductors/orchestras. There are countless versions on streaming.
Performance wise it’s hard to beat Walter but if this is decent and recording quality is very good I was thinking it could be worth it. 

mahler123
4,069 posts
 

The Walter would probably be my first choice if it was in stereo, but current restorations are excellent.

  I prefer the first Bernstein/NYP.  Karajan, Abbado/CSO, and Boulez are right up there as well, and yes I have a bunch that rate just below.  Solti/CSO was actually my first purchase (Bud Herseth on the trumpet).  I heard it recently for the first time in years and it’s as good as any.

If you pull the trigger on the Decca share your impressions.  I’ve seen a Facebook post where some of these Decca and DG Pure analogue releases were defective so make sure you purchase from a reputable dealer with a good return policy 

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,441 posts
 

There is stiff competition!  I just had a look at Presto's website Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (page 1 of 6) | Presto Music.

The first entry is 12 CDs with Simon Rattle for A$50.  Then alpha pops up with the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra on 2 vinyl records on special at about A$48.  The Decca is also on 2 records and includes Mahler 10 for A$137.

For my money, the best performance is Barbirolli - 5 CDs for A$20.  It is not often that I instantly switch allegiance when hearing a new-to-me performance of a familiar work.

I am very biassed at the moment against Decca and DG for their lack of quality control and, in DG's case, ability to deliver at all.

Would be good to get a second opinion!  I'd go Decca and alpha and for a little more, pick up 17 CDs too laugh

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