Maurice Abravanel’s pioneering Mahler symphony cycle for Vanguard Classics was the most ambitious such undertaking in Vanguard Records’ history – and a recording landmark for a label that had established itself as a champion of the composer from the earliest years of the LP. Producer Seymour Solomon and his recording team spared no expense to capture the work, recorded in the excellent acoustics of the Mormon Tabernacle, in audiophile-quality sound for both stereo and quadraphonic release.
In the three decades between his appointment as music director and the making of this recording, Maurice Abravanel had built the Utah Symphony Orchestra into one of the finest in the United States and their Vanguard recordings, which included many recording premieres and a focus on Romantic and twentieth century repertoire, won them an international following.
Musical Concepts is pleased to make this recording available for the first time in 192k 24bit super-high-definition sound for digital streaming and download, in a stereo transfer from the original 4-channel master in accordance with Seymour Solomon’s original mix. The release includes the original liner notes and additional background and perspective on the recording.
