When it comes to Mahler, Sydney Symphony Orchestra continues to show that it is up there with the best.

Ever since its complete cycle of symphonies under the stewardship of Vladimir Ashkenazy in 2010–11, the classical music world has taken note of their recordings and live performances.

Now, with Chief Conductor Simone Young and Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, Sydney audiences are blessed with having two of the most respected Mahlerians of this generation.

Young opened the season with a stellar performance of The Song of the Earth. This week it is the turn of Scotsman Runnicles with two performances of the massive Sixth Symphony, sometimes known as the Tragic – 80 minutes of high emotion with some irony and little light relief which leaves the listener, let alone the player, transported if a little drained.

Donald Runnicles conducts Mahler’s Sixth Symphony. Photo © Jay Patel

Famous for its finale with its two “hammer blows of fate” – reduced from three because of the composer’s superstitious nature – this is no journey from darkness to light like his Fifth. From the army of basses pounding out the stabbing march rhythm, not the solemn...