Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Mariss Jansons - Mahler: Symphony No. 6, Henze: Sebastian im Traum [SACD] (2006) [DST64] ISO + HDTracks

Hot on the heels (or so it seems) of Jansons's LSO Live recording… comes this rival version from his own orchestra's label. The first movement again kicks off at a remorseless march tempo… There's no wallowing in the slow movement but there is expressive room for manoeuvre where required. The Concertgebouw's well upholstered string tone comes into its own here, framing some beautifully poised playing by the woodwind principals... It's in the monumental finale that the differences are most apparent. Where the LSO sounded raw and savage the RCO achieves greater nobility and mystery.