The young Leonard Bernstein was already at the height of his conducting powers during his 1958-69 reign at the New York Philharmonic, and none of his achievements from that period had greater impact than the complete cycle of Mahler symphonies. Indeed, the 1962 release of the Third, a galvanizing recording that arguably has still not been surpassed, can be said to have launched the “Mahler Renaissance”. Other incomparable performances from this landmark set are the Seventh and Eighth. The latest remastered 12-album reissue also includes Bernstein’s 1972 live Israel Philharmonic recording of Das Lied von der Erde – “a fine, committed performance… highly enjoyable” (Gramophone) – with soloists Christa Ludwig and René Kollo.
William Malloch (speaker), Jennie Tourel (mezzo-soprano), Lee Venora (soprano), Martha Lipton (mezzo-soprano), Reri Grist (soprano), James Chambers (french horn), Raymond Sabinsky (mandolin), Erna Spoorenberg (soprano), Gwenyth Annear (mezzo-soprano), Gwyneth Jones (soprano), Donald McIntyre (bass), Hans Vollenweider (organ), Vladimir Ruzdjak (baritone), John Mitchinson (tenor), Anna Reynolds (mezzo-soprano), Norma Procter (mezzo-soprano), René Kollo (tenor), Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano)
New York Philharmonic, Collegiate Chorale, Women’s Chorus of The Schola Cantorum, Boys’ Choir of The Church of The Transfiguration, Leeds Festival Chorus, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Finchley Children’s Music Group, Highgate School Boys Choir, Orpington Junior Singers, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
René Kollo (tenor), Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano)
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major ‘Titan’
New York Philharmonic
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 ‘Resurrection’
Jennie Tourel (mezzo-soprano), Lee Venora (soprano)
New York Philharmonic, Collegiate Chorale
Mahler: Symphony No. 3
Martha Lipton (mezzo-soprano)
New York Philharmonic, Women’s Chorus of The Schola Cantorum, Boys’ Choir of The Church of The Transfiguration
Mahler: Symphony No. 4
Reri Grist (soprano)
New York Philharmonic
Mahler: Symphony No. 5
James Chambers (french horn)
New York Philharmonic
Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in A minor ‘Tragic’
New York Philharmonic
Mahler: Symphony No. 7
Raymond Sabinsky (mandolin)
New York Philharmonic
Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E flat major ‘Symphony of a Thousand’
Erna Spoorenberg (soprano), Gwenyth Annear (mezzo-soprano), Gwyneth Jones (soprano), Donald McIntyre (bass), Hans Vollenweider (organ), Vladimir Ruzdjak (baritone), John Mitchinson (tenor), Anna Reynolds (mezzo-soprano), Norma Procter (mezzo-soprano)
Leeds Festival Chorus, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Finchley Children’s Music Group, Highgate School Boys Choir, Orpington Junior Singers
Mahler: Symphony No. 9
New York Philharmonic
Mahler: Symphony No. 10 in F sharp major – Adagio
New York Philharmonic