Brian R Burtt wrote:

>The one that clicked for me was Bernstein on DG.  I have the Jarvi
>but--even though I like most of his recordings a lot more than most people,
>and they represent a considerable percentage of my collection--I too find
>the Mahler 8th incredibly bland and uninspired.

To each his own.  My take on this is:  Given the breakneck speed in which
Mahler composed the 8th, one could say that it is his *most* inspired work,
in the literal sense of that word.  And bland? My favorite is Horenstein on
BBC Legends.  Turn Part I on and play it loud.  Better yet, go see it in
live performance.

Mitch Friedfeld