★★★★☆ New ideas abound, but can we forgive Fischer for toning down the abandon?

Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Does the rise of new ideas deserve to be applauded? I had to ask myself that question multiple times listening to this Mahler 5th from Ivan Fischer and his Budapest Festival Orchestra. Shifting trends have brought about a stylish new approach to Mahler that is light on emotions in favor of more accuracy and articulation. In general, I'm not a fan of this development. Fischer veers in that direction, but he's a convincing representative. More than anything else, he shows conviction in his conducting, the main thing lacking in much modern Mahler.

So we start off with a funeral march played with more tenderness than passion. The Budapest Festival Orchestra isn't on par with the Berlin or Vienna Phil, but they have a compact, impressive sound. The orchestral landscape is detailed and intriguing, but rather homogenized, so you don't hear individual parts jumping out, even if they're nicely welded together for the whole. This subdued feeling continues into the 2nd movement, where Fischer avoids the scrambling brutality one hears from Abbado and Rattle. This is a nicely judged account, with freshness and new ideas. I can't think of another reading like it. But must it sound so nice? I miss the strings digging into their notes with raw fervor.

The 3rd movement is better, because light, mercurial sounds fit the mood perfectly. It would be even better if it had been proceeded by a visceral ride, and there's a feeling that there's no high ground to reach. It's joyful, but there's no victory to celebrate.The Adagietto is just perfect, though. Here the refined, gorgeous string tone is heart-warming and touching. There doesn't need to be struggle here, so it comes off like a charm.

I'm not sure if I've ever heard the finale start so gently. This is gentle refinement, with a strong positive ring. It doesn't work for me, because there's no impulse of driving adrenaline. I see no reason for the conductor to hold back from making this a ride of sheer thrill. Fischer isn't bland, but there's no bite; he prefers to carefully handle the material.

My tone sounds more negative than I feel. There are countless new ideas in this reading, and if you prefer less extrovert emotion, here you go. There are surprises around every corner. But for me, Mahler let loose a frenzy of wild abandon in this symphony. and trying to cage it in seems unnecessary.