Mahler: Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection" (2013)

Benjamin Zander rose to international prominence in the 2000s, almost entirely on the strength of his exemplary recordings of Gustav Mahler's symphonies, which have been widely admired and emulated. Not only did Zander carefully research the background of the symphonies to develop a sense of what Mahler's music sounded like in his time, he also gave invigorating and inspired performances with the Philharmonia Orchestra that were accompanied by entertaining discussions of the works in detail. Most of the cycle was released ... Read More

Benjamin Zander rose to international prominence in the 2000s, almost entirely on the strength of his exemplary recordings of Gustav Mahler's symphonies, which have been widely admired and emulated. Not only did Zander carefully research the background of the symphonies to develop a sense of what Mahler's music sounded like in his time, he also gave invigorating and inspired performances with the Philharmonia Orchestra that were accompanied by entertaining discussions of the works in detail. Most of the cycle was released on Telarc, but Zander withheld his 2009 recording of the Symphony No. 2 in C minor, "Resurrection," which disappointed him; he waited until 2012 to record a more satisfactory version on Linn Records. The symphony has been issued here in standard CD and hybrid SACD formats, with the music presented on two discs and the conductor's eloquent commentary with musical examples on the third, so listeners are advised to find ample time to appreciate both. From the outset, it's clear Zander... Read Less