Gustav Mahler, Sir Georg Solti, Arleen Auger, Lucia Popp, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Yvonne Minton, Heather Harper, RenA© Kollo, John Shirley-Quirk, Martti Talvela - Mahler - Symphony No. 8 / Popp A· Auger A· Minton A· Harper A· Kollo A· Shirley-Quirk A· Talvela A· Chicago SO A· Solti

Solti was an eminent Mahlerian, reveling in the dramatic sweep and power of the scores but also surprisingly sympathetic to their many delicate, sparely scored passages. The gigantic Eighth Symphony is perhaps Solti's finest Mahler recording. The opening outburst, "Veni, creator spiritus," is shattering in its impact, and the next 80 minutes are an emotionally wrenching trek across Mahler's vast musical landscape. Most conductors do well simply to hold together this gargantuan, often ungainly combination of symphony, oratorio, and sceneryless opera (Part II is a setting from Goethe's Faust). But Solti's conducting makes it work by maintaining tension throughout. He gets superb orchestral playing from the Chicago Symphony and inspires a great Viennese chorus and the best team of vocal soloists to record this work. Add outstanding engineering that, nearly three decades later, still yields demonstration-quality sound, and you get the best stereo Mahler Eighth in the catalog. --Dan Davis Amazon.com essential recording

Astounding Mahler

Listen to it yourself.

Don't let anyone else tell you what to think.

You will know what you are hearing.

There will be no doubt left in your mind. October 20, 2008

Mind boggling

I am absolutely stunned by this recording.

George Solti interprets this pretty down the middle; all the tempi work, not too fast, not too slow. None of the tempi could offend in the way, persay, Bernsteins or Rattles might.

The orchestra, choruses and Soloists are breathtaking. This is the chicago symphony at its finest.

What really struck me about this recording, is that it might just be the greatest production of a classical work on cd to date, it's simply that good.

What more can I say, I treasure this recording after having it for multiple years; I hold it very dear to my heart. September 16, 2008

Still a great M8!

I originally go the LP version back when it first came out, which I believe was in '72. That's right, kiddies, I'm no spring chicken, just think like one! Anyway, to all you yung'uns it's the least expensive of all the M8's I review under [ Mahler 8 Shaw Telarc ]. Overall, sound is still great, just a few times when it might be starting to slightly show it's age. However, imaging and soundstaging, which for me are a part of sound still rate a "5". Performance is still as wonderful as the day it was issued. If you're on a budget I would suggest either this or the Shaw on Telarc. Both are on a single disc and both are below $10 for over 70 minutes of great music making. If you're a completist then you can't afford to be without the Solti.

Best,

Mark Zimmerman, the Bipolar Bear! May 12, 2008

Before you buy this older release...

I'm a huge fan of the original Solti performance. Decca did this CD release in 1999 and the newer one in 2006 with a different cover. (Amazon carries the later one.) I find the 2006 release a far, far better remastering of an already amazing recording and I recommend it over this 1999 CD release. The newer one has a less clouded sound... is not too bright to my ears... is musical... with beautiful balance maintained amongst the orchestra, chorus and soloists - my favorite recording of No. 8... I'm a former musician and I've heard both CD editions, much preferring the clarity of the later version, without a doubt. March 1, 2007

A "Regular People" Review

This CD is good, however if your new to Mahler, I would recommend the Second or Sixth Symphonies before this one. Mahler has never dissapointed me and this is no exception. I can't say whether this recording is better than any other becuase this is the only one I have ever heard, but there are no complaints here. February 16, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...