Album insights
Rafael Kubelík's legendary recordings of Mahler's symphonies from 1967 to 1971 have been widely praised by critics and audiences since their release and still serve as the benchmark performances for this repertoire. Throughout his life, Kubelík dedicated himself passionately to Mahler's symphonic works. His pioneering recording of the complete Mahler cycle was a groundbreaking achievement at a time when Mahler's music faced skepticism from the public. Having previously conducted at prominent venues such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Covent Garden Opera House, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Kubelík found his musical home at the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1961. He remained with the orchestra as its chief conductor until his retirement due to illness in 1979.