Performing Arts

Discography

Three Mahler symphonies, recommended recordings:

Symphony No. 2, Resurrection

• London Symphony Orchestra, Kaplan (Conifer Classics, two CDs). Gilbert Kaplan, the multimillionaire founder of Institutional Investor magazine, was so obsessed with Mahler's Second Symphony that he took conducting lessons, hired an orchestra and conducted the piece at New York's Avery Fisher Hall. Five years later he made this recording, which lacks the personality of some performances but is thoughtfully laid out and reflects intense study of what's known of Mahler's own performances. Superb sonics. (Mr. Kaplan's subsequent DG recording with the Vienna Philharmonic is less fresh.)

• Philharmonia Orchestra, Klemperer (EMI Classics). Otto Klemperer actually knew Mahler, and apart from a so-so mezzo soloist, this 1963 recording is gripping start to finish. Sonics OK.

Symphony No. 6

• Vienna Philharmonic, Bernstein (DG, two CDs). Leonard Bernstein's penchant for excess could overwhelm even Mahler, but this 1988 performance is a classic. The slow movement is sublime.

• Philadelphia Orchestra, Eschenbach (Ondine, two hybrid SACDs). Christoph Eschenbach is another conductor sometimes given to self-indulgence, especially in slow tempos, but his Mahler Sixth, which may have been inspired by Bernstein's, is compelling.

Symphony No. 7

• Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Abbado (EuroArts DVD). This quirkiest of Mahler symphonies gets a wonderfully life-affirming performance from Claudio Abbado and his festival orchestra, combining star players from major European orchestras and hotshot twentysomethings.

• San Francisco Symphony, Tilson Thomas (San Francisco Symphony, hybrid SACD). Michael Tilson Thomas' Mahler cycle, now nearing completion, has been a mix of hits and misses, but this intensely focused account is one of the prizes. Scott Cantrell

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