Mahler...OK I'm hooked

Dietrich Fischer-Diskau singing Kindertotenlieder on DG - easy to find used and, in my book, essential Mahler. Heartbreakingly beautiful/sad - Mahler lost at least one child and this was his response... Also Das Lied Von der Erde (female vocal with gorgeous orchestration), lots of versions on lp, easy to find used.

For the BEST 2nd ----> Rattle's version has won nearly every award. I would put it at or near the top as the best CD I own.

ditto to drrdiamond,rattle's version is top shelf for #2 mahler symphony.true masterpiece and great liner notes to boot.

The following symphonies are good performances with good sound quality - all on LP...

Symphony 3 - Horenstein/LondonSO, Nonesuch HB 73023 or Unicorn RHS 302/3 (as Newbee suggests)

Symphony 5 - Barbirolli/NewPhilOrch, EMI SLS 785 or Solti/ChicagoSO London CSA 2228

Symphony 6 - Horenstein (again)/StockholmSO, Nonesuch HB 73029 or Solti/ChicagoSO, London CSA 2227

Symphony 8 - Solti/ChicagoSO, Decca SET 534/5 (or London if you can't find the Decca at a reasonable price)

Symphony 9 - Solti/ChicagoSO, Decca SET 360/1 (or London if you can't find the Decca at a reasonable price)

Alternatives for the 1st and 2d you have, both of which will be very different interpretations (not necessarily better, just very different) but in much better sound quality:

Symphony 1 - Horenstein/LondonSO, Unicorn RHS 301 or Guilini/ChicagoSO EMI ASD 2722

Symphony 2 - Solti/LondonPO, London CSA 2217

And, for a change from orchestral, make sure to experience another side of Mahler in his "Five Ruckert Songs." I've always been fond of the Janet Baker performance with Sir John Barbirolli on EMI SLS 785.

Best of luck as you continue to explore Mahler.

For the 4th, I'm partial to the Klemperer on EMI (available on reissued vinyl as well as a good CD), as well as the Solti. For the 5th, if you go for the Solti, I'd probably steer clear of the Super Analog reissue if you have speakers with deep bass response, as it is quite bass-heavy. Glad to see you're hooked, Rick!