Benjamin Zander - Philharmonia Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No. 2 - The Sunday Times

The central place of the Resurrection Symphony in Mahler's career, musically and biographically, is brought out vividly by Benjamin Zander in the riveting lecture-recital that, as is his wont, the British-born American conductor adds to this recording on the third CD. The richly coloured performance, by a Philharmonia on top form, bears out many of Zander's points, not least the vital importance in Mahler of a clarity of texture in which every line is audible. His argument for a slower than usual tempo in the spectral scherzo is also vindicated. The British mezzo Sarah Connolly is the eloquent soloist in 'Urlicht'. Essential listening.