Mahler's Resurrection, Gilbert Kaplan/VPO recordin

Mahler fans can consider symphonies performed by Klaus Tennstedt and the London Philharmonic. I find Tennstedt's performances to have a correct balance of passion for life, bitterness, fright of death, melancholy, frustration, loss, and love.

Benjamin Zander's performances on the Telarc label have additional CDs where the conductor explains the background and technical aspects of the compositions, which function as great tools for learning Mahler's music.

Tennstedt's cycle is unfortunately saddled with some of the “early” digital sound that, in spots, has made my nose bleed. It's unfortunate because his performances, I agree, have many outstanding qualities.

Another conductor to mention is Sinopoli. His cycle is extremely well performed and the sound, in particular the 3rd, is spectacular.

Whether the psychotic (Bernstein) or the psychiatrist (Sinopoli), you can find much to enjoy in their Mahler interpretations.

Auaarons
I almost recently purhased the Tennstedt/EMI Mahler 3/4 at budget price which is supposed to be one of the best 2CD sets from complete cycle.....but held off. Been curious to hear his Mahler style.

Checked my Mahler 2 collection to see if there are any other ones that should be mentioned here. There is another Klemperer/EMI (Klemperer Legacy) Mahler 2 that is remastered live version of 1965 concert. I prefer the sound of studio GROTC version however which has more dynamic range especially deep bass. The live version does have more energy in performance, but need the power projected by studio version.

I am not a big Walter fan but do have his famous Walter/Sony Mahler 1/2 set, good to have to show other end of performance spectrum with relaxed spacious reading. (though I prefer the more energetically charged performances.)

I wasn't going to give specific recommendations, but since thats the way the thread has been going - -

Two performances that have not been mentioned, but which are excellent, and which are clearly different views of how this symphony should be performed, are Abbado's 1976 performance with the CSO and Slatkins with the SLSO on Telarc.In my view Abbado does every thing right with good a good soloist and chorus to match. This is a performance that excites! The Slatkin performance is much different, i.e. much more like Walter, more lyrical and in much better sound (than Walter).

I agree re the quality of Tennstadt as a Mahlerian in general, its just too bad the recording quality of his performances on CD's isn't better.