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Background

• Composed between 1888 and 1894.
• A monumental exploration of life, death, and spiritual transcendence.
• Premiered in Berlin in 1895, conducted by Mahler himself.

Recordings

• Boulez Mahler
  Christine Schafer (soprano), Michelle DeYoung (mezzo-soprano)
  Wiener Singverein, Johannes Prinz (chorus master). Rainer Keuschnig (organ). Wiener Philharmoniker
  Pierre Boulez · Deutsche Grammophon

• Symphonies 1–9
  Christiane Karg (soprano), Elisabeth Kulman (mezzo-soprano). Prague Philharmonic Choir.
  Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
  Semyon Bychkov · Pentatone
  Radio 3 (2023): Record of the Week
  International Classical Music Awards (2024): Nominated Symphonic Music

• Symphony Nr. 2 in C minor
  Lisa Milne (soprano), Birgit Remmert (alto). Hungarian Radio Choir.
  Budapest Festival Orchestra
  Ivan Fischer · Channel Classics
  Gramophone Magazine (2006): Disc of the Month
  Gramophone Awards (2007): Editor's Choice

• The Symphonies & Orchestral Songs
  Elly Ameling (soprano), Aafje Heynis (contralto).
  Netherlands Radio Chorus. Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
  Bernard Haitink · DECCA

• Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"
  Adriana Kucerova (soprano), Christianne Stotijn (mezzo-soprano)
  London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
  Vladimir Jurowski · LPO
  Gramophone Magazine (2011): Disc of the Month

• Symphonie 2, 4, 7, 9. Das Lied von der Erde & Other Lieder.
  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano). Hilde Rossel-Majdan (mezzo-soprano). Philharmonia Chorus.
  Philharmonia Orchestra.
  Otto Klemperer.
  Warner Classics.
  
  
• "Resurrection"
  Arleen Auger (soprano), Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano). Rundfunkchor Berlin.
  Berliner Philharmoniker
  Simon Rattle · Warner Classics
  Gramophone Awards (1988): Recording of the Year
  Gramophone Awards (1988): Winner – Engineering.
  Gramophone Awards (1988): Winner – Orchestra.
  Grammy Awards (2000): Best Orchestral Performance.
  Gramophone Awards (2000): Recording of the Year.
  Radio 3 (2022): Building a Library Recommended Recording.

• Mahler 2
  Isobel Buchanan (soprano), Mira Zakai (contralto). Chicago Symphony Chorus.
  Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  Cond. Georg Solti · DECCA
  Grammy Awards (1981): Best Orchestral Performance
  Grammy Awards (1981): Classical Album of the Year

• Sinfonie Nr. 2 C-moll.
  Magdalena Hajossyova (soprano), Uta Priew (alto).
  Staatskapelle Berlin.
  Otmar Suitner.
  Berlin Classics.

• Symphony No. 2 Resurrection
  Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (soprano), Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano). Halle Choir, Matthew Hamilton (director). Halle Youth Choir, Stuart Overington (director).
  Hallé
  Kahchun Wong · Hallé
  Gramophone Magazine (2025): Editor's Choice
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2025)

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.