Symphony No. 7 in E minor

Gustav Mahler

Jascha Horenstein / New Philharmonia Orchestra

1969 Live recording. Quality is 'a little bit muddy' with some flubs.

Despite muddy sound, the 'interpretation is so powerful' it's the reviewer's personal 'top choice.' Horenstein brings 'passion and drama and intensity,' building 'wonderful climaxes.' The end is 'overwhelming'.

Otto Klemperer / New Philharmonia Orchestra

1968 Sound quality is fantastic. Tempos are very slow.

A controversial choice due to very slow tempos, but Klemperer (who knew Mahler) imbues it with 'dramatic authority' that is 'really powerful' and engaging. The final coda is 'awe-inspiring'.

Claudio Abbado / Chicago Symphony Orchestra

1984

A more conventional recommendation. 'Very dramatic, very colorful, also very charming, and beautifully recorded and beautifully played'.

Hermann Scherchen / Toronto Symphony Orchestra

1965 Live recording. 'A little bit noisy, but... pretty good presence'.

Essential listening. 'Just electric from the get-go' and 'so viscerally exciting.' The orchestra 'plays like their pants are on fire'.