Mahler's Resurrection Symphony was once referred to by one of my more barbarous audio colleagues (not of Gramophone) as ''obviously written with hi-fi in mind''. Having sent my wife to visit a friend and having no near neighbours, I let this pair of Decca CDs rip, and what a glorious sound it is. Solti made a previous recording of this spectacular work with the LSO and there are many other versions, but this Chicago recording made in the Medinah Temple back in May 1980 is a triumph of the art and RO was so right to enthuse in his original review.

If you own a fine set of equipment and a topgrade CD player this has to be the work to convince your friends that your outlay was all worthwhile—and I don't just mean the overwhelming power of the fortissimos, but also the wealth of depth and detail in the highly melodic slow movement which would charm the birds out of the trees. The two solo voices are a revelation in natural placing and perspective; indeed the whole work has a welcome ring of truth shining through its power and majesty.

An exciting and definitive recording; dammit I'm going to play it again!

-- Gramophone [4/1984]