Davis reinvigorates Mahler with his generous attention to detail.

As symphony cycles go, Mahler’s has to be one of the most ubiquitous, so, musical merits (and there are plenty) of individual symphonies aside, a commitment to present all nine works in this behemoth canon is hardly radical thinking. But then again, Sir Andrew Davis is a conductor with a world-class pedigree; Mahler may be commonplace, but in his hands, there is still a great deal to discover in this music.

Before we reached this halfway point in the MSO’s Mahler cycle, Ravel’s more diminutive but nonetheless mighty Piano Concerto for the Left Hand provided an effervescent and richly coloured aperitif. French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard is impressively fearless, taking on the challenge of this terrifically demanding piece the day before performing all two hours of his mentor Messiaen’s technically ferocious marathon Vingt Regards at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

However, this is a performer of astounding focus and selfless musical devotion. Aimard’s sole concern is achieving absolute clarity, without squandering an ounce of energy on superfluous physical extravangance. That’s not to say his performance was even remotely inert however, in fact, the depth and textural muscularity...