CD: Mahler: Symphony No 6: London Symphony/ Jansons

It is only a couple of months since Mariss Jansons's recordings of Mahler's First and Ninth Symphonies, recorded in concert with the Oslo Philharmonic, were released on the Simax label, revealing the conductor to be an instinctive and highly committed Mahlerian.

This version of the Sixth, taken from performances with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican last November, reinforces that impression. His account of Mahler's most uncompromisingly tragic work has sweep and scope, and it is superbly played.

Tempos tend to be fast, and textures relatively light, as if Jansons had noted that the Sixth is the most classical of Mahler's symphonies; in placing the Andante before the Scherzo, he follows Mahler's second thoughts rather then the original conception. A bit more weight in some of the climaxes, more anguish wrung out of some of the melodic lines, would have made the performance even more impressive.

As it is, at bargain price, the discs come highly recommended.