…no inflection or nuance in the score passes unremarked. …the passion-play finale presents the ultimate challenge. …Haitink knows how to pace this great Adagio; the agonised climaxes and serene resolution here are second to none.

The brass have a thrilling weight and authority, particularly in the first movement's portentous fanfares; there are some ravishing woodwind solos in the Minuetto and Scherzo' and in the Finale, the strings display the communicative warmth they developed during Barenboim's tenure.

An impressive performance...including a commanding trombone solo in the first movement, and some delicate oboe playing in the second. Michelle DeYoung is a thoughtful soloist and the Chicago Children's Choir are suitably cheeky in the fifth movement. Furthermore, Haitink paces the long final movement just right, in my view.

For its first release it has chosen a surefire winner: Haitink's reading of the Third has always been one
of his most impressive in the Mahler canon, and this one seems more powerful than ever…this is a
hugely auspicious launch for the CSO's new venture.