In 1903, Gustav Mahler conducted his own work with the Concertgebouw Orchestra for the first time. He was ecstatic about orchestra, choirs and audience: 'The music culture in this country is astonishing! The way these people can listen!' Mahler’s association with the orchestra lasted until his death in 1911 and was the starting point of the orchestra’s Mahler tradition. Since then all the RCO’s chief conductors had a very special relationship with Mahler’s music and each one added his own chapter to this continuing story.

On 9 May 2025 the RCO kicks off the Concertgebouw Mahler Festival with Mahler’s First Symphony under chief conductor designate Klaus Mäkelä. For this occasion RCO Live label releases Gustav Mahler – The Chief Conductor Edition featuring his predecessors Willem Mengelberg, Eduard van Beinum, Bernard Haitink, Riccardo Chailly, Mariss Jansons and Daniele Gatti in live radio recordings from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw of all Mahler's symphonies including Das Lied von der Erde and Deryck Cooke’s realization of the Tenth Symphony. Most recordings appear for the first time on CD and the Third and Fourth Symphony are presented in new remasters.

This box set will be available in a limited edition and the titles new to the catalogue will be released digitally as separate albums.