Marvellous Mahler

Mahler's 1st Symphony, performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra recorded by Pierre Boulez. With many composers, there is a sense of progression and development through their symphonic cycles, with the consensus being that the later works have more intrinsic worth than the first efforts. It is rare that the early symphonies of Schubert or Dvorak for instance are even performed. With Mahler however, I feel that his art remained on a more or less consistent level and the only things that seem to effect the regularity of recording or performance are considerations of length or the forces required by the score. Having said that, the first symphony is one of his most approachable with memorable themes for the listener to latch onto ( peasant dances, the frere Jacque funeral march ) and a manageable length to the piece. I have recordings of all Mahler's symphonies but not a complete cycle by the same forces. Boulez is a noted interpreter though and the recording here is of a very high quality.