In Schuricht's performance one recognizes that he had before him an orchestra with an incomparable understanding of the Mahler tradition. The live recording has a personal and political dimension, as well. Shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, this German conductor dared to perform a work by Gustav Mahler, a composer ostracized by the Nazis. One senses Schuricht's great personal courage in an oppressively tense moment of the recording: In the section of the last movement, entitled "Abschied", one very clearly hears a heckler: "Deutschland über alles, Herr Schuricht". 

„After a short demonstration of displeasure from the audience, this impressive performance continues without further interruption. Mahler triumphed over the darkness of the time.“ (Handelsblatt)

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