Clarity of vision and tonal splendour characterise this live performance of Mahlers epic Resurrection Symphony under Paavo Jrvi.
This colossal work comprises five movements and calls upon two soloists, a mezzo soprano, who sings the fourth-movement Urlicht (here Alice Coote) and a soprano (Natalie Dessay), who soars over the massed forces in the final movement. The orchestra is joined by the celebrated choir from the Basque country, the Orfon Donostarria, which has been described by the Neue Zrcher Zeitung as a miracle of sonic glory.

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (also known as the hr-Sinfonieorchester) became internationally celebrated as a Mahler orchestra in the 1970s and 80s, when Eliahu Inbal was its principal conductor. Now, the Estonian-born Jrvi has established a distinctive approach to the Austrian composers music. As the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung judged after the concert performances of the Resurrection in May 2009:
It was to be expected that Jrvis Mahler interpretation would not expend its energies on sentimentality or bombast. He is intent on exploring the wealth of contrasts in this symphony, to clarify structures and to crystallise the often innovative overlaying of compositional processes His artistic understanding guaranteed a thoughtful, subtle interpretation, which was crowned by the contribution of the Orfon Donostarria choir from San Sebastian, splendidly accurate in its intonation and nuanced in its dynamics. Natalie Dessay and Alice Coote, meanwhile, impressed with the inspiration and intensity of their expression.
Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor
CD 1
1. Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor 'Resurrection' - I. Allegro
CD 2
1. Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor 'Resurrection' - II. Andante moderato
2. Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor 'Resurrection' - III. In ruhig flieender Bewegung
3. Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor 'Resurrection' - IV. Urlicht. Sehr feierlich, aber schlicht
4. Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor 'Resurrection' - V. Finale. Im Tempo des Scherzos