Mahler: Symphony 8

‘Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound. There are no more human voices, only planets and suns revolving in their orbits,’ wrote Gustav Mahler to his friend Willem Mengelberg on 18 August 1906. The day before, he had completed the sketches of the Eighth Symphony in little more than three weeks, and that after a very hectic season.

Recorded during the full Mahler cycle that the orchestra performed in the 2009-2011 seasons to celebrate the composer's 150 birthday and 100 anniversary of his death - Mariss Jansons's interpretation of the Eight Symphony is one more jewel in the crown of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; with a star-studded cast and excellent choral forces, this Symphony of a Thousand left a lasting impression on the audience.

Recorded live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam on 4 and 6 March 2011.