★★★★★ Robertson performs a gloriously exhilarating Resurrection.

Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony has exerted a talismanic influence on the Sydney Symphony since Otto Klemperer’s legendary performance in September 1950 – still remembered vividly by older concertgoers. I’ve sat through various accounts since 1975 but none have moved or exhilarated me as much as that by David Robertson in the Sydney Town Hall. All sections of the SSO covered themselves in glory.

Whoever decided the Sydney Town Hall as the venue is to be congratulated as it has remained a sentimental favourite. The immediacy and crispness of the sound shows the Opera House Concert Hall in a decidedly poor light. Robertson laid out the orchestra with divided violins (always an encouraging sign) then, moving clockwise, cellos, violas and second violins directly on his right. The other striking feature were the steady, unhysterical tempi he adopted throughout and how effective they were. He didn’t rush his fences or speed up when the music became louder. Klemperer’s famous EMI/Philharmonia recording clocked in at a few seconds short of 80 minutes: Robertson, even allowing for an extended pause between the first and second movements (requested by Mahler) took about 85 minutes.

To call the performance and approach “mainstream”...