Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Songs of a Wayfarer - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Rafael Kubelik
Here's a delightful coupling: Mahler's First Symphony and the song cycle  that donated many of its themes to the larger work. Best of all, both  performances are superb. Rafael Kubelik is the dark horse among Mahler  conductors. His interpretations are always fresh, unforced, and seemingly  without exaggeration. However, he knows how to build a climax, and his generally  swift tempos never permit a minute's boredom. There are many moments to cherish  in his performance of the symphony, not least the delicious woodwind playing and  the tangy trumpets in the third movement'sFiddler on the Roofmusic.  Reissued at midprice in excellently remastered sound--better than most new  digitals in many respects--this is a performance that remains one of the best,  and as a coupling it's unbeatable.--David Hurwitz