This was the finest performance of Mahler’s Third when it was first issued back in 1962, and in some ways it has never been surpassed. Bernstein catches the riotous vulgarity of the first movement march music like no other conductor–not even his own digital remake reaches the level of sheer abandon he whips up here, and he also has the best of all fifth movements (bright and cheery, with dazzlingly prominent percussion). Other, more recent performances may match or even supercede this one in this or that detail, but on the whole the status of this performance as the reference by which all others are judged remains unchallenged. This performance also was the symphony’s stereo debut, and Sony’s latest remastering is a complete success. Jennie Tourel’s performances of the songs are not without controversy. Her voice never was conventionally “beautiful”, but her musical perceptions always were dead on the mark, and so it proves here. At mid-price, this is great listening.
