Aside from his sensational
Wagner Ring cycle, if one recording in
Georg Solti's catalog bears repeated reissues, it must be his truly legendary rendition of
Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8 in E flat major, "Symphony of a Thousand," a captivating performance that was unmatched in its day and one that still holds its own against later releases. This 1971 recording is especially worth considering because of its unequaled octet of singers -- sopranos
Heather Harper,
Lucia Popp, and
Arleen Augér, contraltos
Yvonne Minton and
Helen Watts, tenor
René Kollo, baritone
John Shirley-Quirk, and bass
Martti Talvela -- whose ecstatic voices are set against three great Viennese choirs and the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing its absolute best. Such a confluence of talent under
Solti's baton certainly makes this version desirable, but what makes it fascinating to hear is the stunning mastering, which brings out all of this magnificent recording's refined details, spatial depth, and dynamic power, making it an even more compelling listening experience than it was on vinyl. This extraordinary recording is not only highly recommended, it is mandatory for all serious Mahlerians.