This is the second Mahler symphony to be recorded by the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra. Like the First, which appeared in 2005 to great critical acclaim, it embodies the historical performing practices such as orchestra size, seating, style and sound, which the RSO and I have put at the forefront of our work together. The most striking feature is of course the vibrato-free sound, not heard in a Mahler symphony perhaps, since Bruno Walter's live recording of the 9th with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1938.

This recording takes seriously Mahler's expectations for performance in his own lifetime. The orchestra size is of course laid down in the score, which itself is now well established. The seating used here however is different from many orchestras today, but accords with the normal layout around 1900. This is Mahler as he has not been heard since he originally wrote the work, and is an essential listening experience today!