Mahler Symphonies - Live in Concert - Klaus Tennstedt - Box Set 9CDs

Label : LPO
Format : Flac (image + cue)
Cover : Yes

Recorded live at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall

This 9 CD boxed set features live recordings of a selection of Mahler's symphonies documenting the extraordinary relationship between Klaus Tennstedt and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which was characterised by life-affirming concerts and a genuine connection between musicians, conductor and audience.

Tennstedt and the LPO recorded a full Mahler cycle in the studio for EMI, however this new boxed set features only live concert recordings, which really capture Tennstedt's inimitable talent. The special relationship Tennstedt enjoyed with both the LPO and Mahler's works result in an intensity and changeability in live concert hall performances that was impossible to replicate in the studio.

Each symphony in this boxed set has been previously released on the LPO label to critical acclaim. Exclusive to this collection however is an earlier performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 2, recorded in 1981, and starring soloists Heather Harper and Doris Soffel. Reflected in the recoring from 1981 is a conductor in good health, clearly revelling in his relationship with his 'romantic orchestra'; while the 1989 performance features a last movement that is of truly epic proportions. What we hear is that what Tennstedt lost in physical wellbeing in the intervening years, he more than made up for in dark intensity and angst.

This premium boxed set includes a 45 page booklet featuring archive images, press cuttings and anecdotes as well as accompanying texts and programme notes. Packaged in a specially designed clamshell box, this premium product is a real collector's item.

This collection features performances from star soloists including Thomas Hampson, Yvonne Kenny, Jard van Nes, Heather Harper, Doris Soffel, Júlia Várady, Jane Eaglen, Susan Bullock, Trudeliese Schmidt, Jadwiga Rappé, Kenneth Riegel, Eike Wilm Schulte and Hans Sotin.

Gustav Mahler
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Recorded 1991)
Symphony No. 1 in D major (Recorded 1985)
Symphony No. 2 in C minor 'Resurrection' (Recorded 1989)
Symphony No. 2 in C minor 'Resurrection' (Recorded 1981)
Symphony No. 6 in A minor (Recorded 1983)
Symphony No. 8 in E flat major (Recorded 1991)

Susan Bullock, Jane Eaglen, Heather Harper, Yvonne Kenny, Julia Varady - soprano, Jard van Nes, Doris Soffel - mezzo, Jadwiga Rappe, Trudeliese Schmidt - alto, Kenneth Riegel - tenor, Thomas Hampson, Eike Wilm Schulte - baritone, Hans Sotin - bass
Eton College Chapel Choir, London Symphony Chorus,
London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt