This 16-disc set contains what is without a doubt the most distinguished collection of Mahler performances ever to have been assembled in one place. DG has sensibly collected all of Bernstein's Mahler for Polygram labels, including the London "Das Lied von der Erde," and all of the orchestral song cycles: "Song of a Wayfarer," "Kindertotenlieder," "Rückert-Lieder," and "Des Knaben Wunderhorn." All of these recordings have been issued separately to general critical acclaim, and despite a veritable warehouse of new Mahler discs in the '90s, Bernstein's versions by and large still reign supreme. For this, his second complete symphony cycle, Bernstein chose three great orchestras and programmed with each one the most suitable symphonies. The New York Philharmonic, probably the greatest Mahler orchestra in the world, gets Symphonies Nos. 2, 3, and 7. The Vienna Philharmonic plays Nos. 5, 6, 10, and 8 (a live recording from the Salzburg Festival that replaces what would have been a New York Eighth had Bernstein not died). Finally, Europe's great Mahler orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw of Amsterdam, gets Nos. 1, 4, and 9. At mid-price, this is Mahler deluxe, an essential set for anyone interested in the composer, and a terrific gift idea if you're looking to make a convert or two. --David Hurwitz
