Das Lied von der Erde / etc (recorded in 1936 & 1938)

Among the most admired conductors of his generation, Bruno Walter, who was born in Berlin on 15th September 1876 and died in Beverly Hills on 17th February 1962, developed a close association with Mahler right from the outset of his career. During 1894-6, he assisted Mahler in Hamburg, the latter's favourable impression confirmed when he obtained for his protégé a post in Breslau. The two were reunited in 1901, when Walter became Mahler's assistant at the Vienna Hofoper. Despite the latter's controversial departure in 1907, Walter remained there until 1912, when he conducted the Vienna première of Mahler's Eighth Symphony and the world première of the Ninth.