Five essential works by Mahler

Symphony No. 2, ‘Resurrection’ 

One of the most dramatic openings of any symphony – baleful scurryings from cellos and basses launching a work of extraordinary contrasts.

Recommended recording:
Bamberg Chorus & Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott 
Tudor 7158 (2 discs) 

• A guide to Mahler's First Symphony

Symphony No. 6, ‘Tragic’

Lean and purposeful, ‘Tragic’ launches with an implacable march and ends with a finale punctuated with three hammer blows of ‘fate’. 

Recommended recording:
San Francisco Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas
San Francisco Symphony 821936-0001-2 

• A guide to Mahler

Rückert-Lieder

Some of Mahler’s most sublime songs are included here, most particularly the twilight atmosphere of ‘Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen’.

Recommended recording:
Janet Baker; New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli 
EMI 566 9812

• The best recordings of Mahler's Symphony No. 5

Symphony No. 9

Mahler’s last completed symphony seems to express the complex feelings of someone facing the end of their life, shot through with fear.

Recommended recording:
Philharmonia/Esa-Pekka Salonen
Signum SGCD 188

• Who was Alma Mahler?

Das Lied von der Erde

A despairing yet blissful hymn to earthly life, these settings of ancient Chinese poems is one of Mahler’s most powerful song cycles for solo voices and orchestra.

Recommended recording:
Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak; Vienna PO/Bruno Walter 
Alto ALC 1120