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Gutav Mahler is one of my favorite composers (it is true I have several "favorites") and his symphonies are worlds of art. Listening to them in order is quite a task however, as each is almost exhausting to listen to, taking you on such an emotional roller coaster that simply must be heard foremost, versus listening to these works of art as background music.
I have all of his symphonies twice if not more. Bernstein is an awesome conductor of Mahler's works - indeed I prefer his conducting to his composing and he tackles Mahler with gusto. Trying not to sound too much of a musical snob however, you simply have to listen to Mahler with one of the better orchestras and conductors. Mahler's music is very complex both in it's subtler moments as it is in his "in your face" ones. As such, it is my opinion that lesser orchestras simply can't compete.
This stated however, as part of my Music Appreciation class at JSCC, I have to attend a concert and our very own Alabama Symphony Orchestra will be playing Mahler in April I believe it is and I have chosen that concert to go to and make my report.
One of the best sources of Mahler's symphonies - reviews and learning more about the pieces themselves can be found at the following link. It is one of my favorite sites and I am slowly collecting these master works of art.
http://www.musicweb-international.com/mahler/index.html
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