This is an imposing and powerful performance of Mahler’s longest symphony. Calling for a vast orchestra, multiple choirs and a contralto soloist, Symphony No. 3 offers some huge challenges—and they’re all impressively met here. Cologne’s Gürzenich Orchestra gave the work’s first performance back in 1902, and their superb playing on this recording emanates the pride they feel in this special bond. François-Xavier Roth paces the work magnificently, striking an ideal balance between its architecture and emotional demands. Sara Mingardo is a glorious soloist, a true contralto, and she confirms the class of this production. A truly impressive piece of music-making in great sound.
Disc 1
Disc 2
- Nicholas Angelich, Insula Orchestra & Laurence Equilbey
- Kian Soltani, Lahav Shani & Renaud Capuçon
- Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Mariss Jansons
- Magdalena Kožená, Stuart Skelton, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Sir Simon Rattle
- Sergiu Celibidache & Munich Philharmonic
- Bamberg Symphony Orchestra & Herbert Blomstedt