Mahler: Symphony No. 5

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and its chief conductor Rafael Payare present Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony on this recording. The Venezuelan conductor sees this symphony as the composer's final work, in which he still looks forward to what the future may bring – quite unlike his later, much darker and more existential works. Yet despite this optimism, tragic and arduous themes also run through the music here, reflecting Mahler's life at this time. Payare's remarkable maturity harmonizes excellently with the distinctive sound of the Montreal orchestra.