The Greatest Recordings EVER! Mahler: Symphony No. 6

Mahler: Symphony No. 6. Vienna Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein (cond.) DG

[Anvanho]

Oh, that crazy closing chord! First time I listened to this piece, I had it on earphones ... got really soft and quiet right at the very end, ... hmm, ... decided to keep nudging the volume further and further up ... and then Darn near leapt up into the ceiling!

[leestamm]

An undeniably great recording. Coincidentally, Mahler's third and final concert performance of the 6th also was with the Vienna Philharmonic, on January 4th, 1907.

[wpjuhpw]

Mahler's 6th Symphony is called the Tragic for a reason. The last bars at the end just Scream Tragedy Big Time!

[michelangelomulieri]

Unquestionably a great recording.. HOWEVER!!! After watching your video on best Mahler 6th I bumped into Thomas sanderling and fell in love with his version…a real knock out!

[johnwright]

Yes, it’s got to be one of the greatest ever!

[Italonino]

Dave you have thrown me a curveball. Thought nothing could be darker and heavier than the James Levine with the LSO on RCA. Mildred would be terrified.

[mjears]

You saw it live!! Oh, what I would give to have been there. Probably would’ve taken me a month to recover.

[omegamale]

Bernstein managed to observe all those musical specifications even under live performance conditions (several performances cobbled together).

[stevemcclue]

I've always found it difficult to listen to this symphony: the finale scares the living daylights out of me. Must try again (from behind the sofa).

[SoiledWig]

Perhaps many of those who claim Bernstein's performances are too over-the-top aren't really attuned to the true eccentricities of Mahler in the first place.

[LuBanchio]

Dear David... this is my to-go Mahler's 6th record now. I adore it, especially how good old Lenny conducts the climax of the andante, which always brings tears to my eyes. I started listening to this symphony with Solti and Chicago... could you review that one? I'm really interested in what you have to say about that record. Thank you!

[peterparsifal]

Dear Mr. Hurwitz, is this the cover and recording with the Wiener Philharmoniker and not with the New Yorker?
Greetings from germany.

[jonbaum]

I saw him conduct that symphony with the Vienna Philharmonic in Tel Aviv around the time that recording was made. Unforgettable, even though i don't particularly like Mahler.

[Jezza-mk]

Dave has pretty much nailed it. However, for outright "creepiness" Michael Gielen is your man, in the 6th...

[dizwell]

Um. In your video description it says Lenny with the Vienna Phil, and then you open by mentioning Lenny and the New York Phil.

I'm assuming he didn't make two recordings with the NY crew, so that your video description is correct? (I couldn't read the text on the CD cover). Edited to add: the confusion finally clears up at around 6:36.