Although serious illness had forced him to relinquish the Principal Conductorship of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1987, Klaus Tennstedt was able to return a number of times in the following years as Conductor Laureate. In February 1989 he conducted two performances of Mahler’s mighty Resurrection Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The concerts quickly acquired legendary status; those present talked of an incredible interpretation shot through with emotion, conviction, musical depth and tangible atmosphere, captured here in this live recording.

‘Every appearance that Klaus Tennstedt makes with the London Philharmonic is an event nowadays, and his performances of Mahler are understandably treasured. On Saturday he conducted the Resurrection Symphony; the queue for returns was enormous, and the reception rapturous.’ The Financial Times, February 1989