The Gramophone guide to the best Mahler recordings
Mahler is the last great Romantic symphonist, music conceived on the grandest scale and employing elaborate forces. He wanted to express his view of the human condition, to set down his lofty ideals about Life, Death and the Universe. 'My symphonies represent the contents of my entire life.' Read the full biography.
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The world's leading Mahler conductors introduce his 10 symphonies and Das Lied von der Erde:
Symphony No 1 – Sir Charles Mackerras
Symphony No 2 – Mariss Jansons
Symphony No 5 – Sir Simon Rattle
Symphony No 6 – Christoph Eschenbach
Symphony No 7 – Valery Gergiev
Symphony No 8 – Michael Tilson Thomas
Symphony No 9 – Esa-Pekka Salonen
Symphony No 10 – Riccardo Chailly
Das Lied von der Erde – Kent Nagano
Mahler – 10 Essential Recordings
New to Mahler? Here's a list of the top 10 recordings to help start your collection...
- Symphony No 5 – Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Rattle
- Das Lied von der Erde – Ludwig; Wunderlich; Philharmonia Orchestra / Klemperer
- Symphony No 9 – Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Karajan
- Des Knaben Wunderhorn – Schwarzkopf; Fischer-Dieskau; LSO / Szell
- Symphony No 1 – Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Kubelík
- Symphony No 4 – Staatskapelle Dresden / Sinopoli
- Symphony No 2 – London Philharmonic Orchestra / Jurowski
- Symphony No 8 – London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra / Tennstedt
- Song-cycles – Baker; Hallé; New Philharmonia / Barbirolli
- Symphony No 7 – Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Abbado
Building your Collection
Select a musical category below to explore the finest Mahler recordings available.
Orchestral Vocal
Complete Symphonies Das klagende Lied
Symphony No 1 Das Lied von der Erde
Symphony No 2 Des Knaben Wunderhorn
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