Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Hot on the heels of DG's new reissue of the Bernstein's complete Mahler symphonies and song cycles, EMI has repackaged Klaus Tennstedt's recordings of all 10 symphonies. Although he remade symphonies 5 through 7, these are his first versions, essentially the same performances that used to be available in three separate boxes at mid price. Now at budget price, and at virtually a third of the cost of DG's Bernstein set, Tennstedt's Mahler is one hell of a bargain. The performances aren't as consistent as Bernstein's. The London Philharmonic was never a great Mahler orchestra, and minor errors are fairly common, especially in the Sixth Symphony, which was the conductor's own favorite among all his recordings despite the lapses in the brass section. It's a performance of frightening intensity, and it's easy to understand his affection for it. All of Tennstedt's Mahler features such spontaneity, emotional honesty, and real human warmth that reservations about execution and sound largely fall by the wayside. Hearing it again is a deeply moving experience. --David Hurwitz

Rating: - A great Mahlerian, but this isn't his greatest Mahler
I am almost as enthusiastic about Klaus Tennstedt's Mahler as any of the reviewers below. Since his death, the conductor's reputation has grown steadily -- his Mahler cycle was inevitably overshadowed during his lifetime by bigger marquee names like Bernstein, Solti, and Karajan. As a bargain set, Tennstedt's Mahler contains as many original ideas as Kubelik's on DG, and for sonics and orchestral execution it's probably a few degrees better.

Yet EMI's studio versions aren't really a ... Read More

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Rating: - Mostly fine but somewhat uneven
Tennstedt's interpretations emphasize the darker side of Mahler's scores; hence he is among the "hands on" Mahler conductors, such as Barbirolli. Especially successful interpretations are those of # 1-3, 5, and 9. The sound is mostly fine analogue stereo, but some of the recordings are problematic: early digital with a nasty, edgy sound.

Some comments of each recording.

Symphony 1. A very fine interpretation, in outstanding analogue sound. Especially the two final movements ... Read More

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Rating: - Classic Sound of Mahler from LPO
Tennstedt has his unique ways and skill of engeenering the sound of Mahler's symphonies.

Personally, I enjoy this CD set of Symphony 1, 5, 6, 8 and 9

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Rating: - IMHO best Mahler performe.
I can say, what sound quality and performe of this symphonies is on top,best i ever heard. I'm professional musician,so this is not just a mere words.

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Rating: - Tennstedt's Mahler Cycle: A Best Buy
Whether you are new to Mahler or just a fellow Mahler enthusiast looking for yet another way of hearing these wonderful works, this well-recorded 11-disc set strikes me as a clear "best buy." I recently acquired a brand-new, sealed copy from one of Amazon's alternative vendors for about $40, which works out to less than $4 per CD.

On 19 December 1974 I was fortunate to attend Klaus Tennstedt's American debut concert with the Boston Symphony. The sole work was Bruckner's 8th Symphony (I am ... Read More