Leonard Bernstein - Mahler: Symphony No. 7

180-gram LP pressed at Pallas in Germany

Housed in a lift-off box

Audiophile analog mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

The slow tempo for the opening of Mahler's Seventh lends bounding energy to the Allegro when it arrives but there is a beautiful stillness for the central interlude. The ending is clamorous and fundamentally optimistic. The first Nachtmusik is full of light and shade with expertly played solo contributions, and you really get the feeling that Bernstein is enjoying himself for the first trio section.

The scherzo is dark but not especially threatening and the second Nachtmusik has well played solos but lacks humour. However, the ebullient, eclectic finale could well have been written for this conductor's personality, and the closing bars seem to embrace the vulgarity enthusiastically.