Symphony No. 1 in D major 'Titan'

Gustav Mahler

Recordings

Top Choice

Sir John Barbirolli / Hallé Orchestra

1957

Gil's first recommendation. 'You cannot do better than Barbirolli and Mahler.' He praises the 'character... loving way... emotion and drama.' The sound isn't as good as his other Mahler.

Also Worth Hearing

Rafael Kubelik / Bavarian Radio Symphony

1967

The 'conventional recommendation' if you want better sound. 'A standout... dramatic... got great energy, great power. It sounds great.'

Leonard Bernstein / Concertgebouw

1987 Digital recording

From his preferred second cycle. Bernstein 'lets the emotions hang out a little bit more... Some might say... over the top. But in Mahler, that can sometimes be a good thing.'

Dimitri Mitropoulos / Minneapolis Symphony

1940

'Very passionate, very exciting conductor.' Limited sound, but 'very intense, very exciting.'

Bruno Walter / NBC Symphony Orchestra

1939 Live recording

Gil's choice for 'only one Mahler first.' A live concert that is 'just electric from beginning to end.'