The names of Gustav Mahler and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra are inseparable. Willem Mengelberg's pioneering work en Mahler's own guest performances with the orchestra have laid the foundation under the Dutch Mahler cult and the RCO's Mahler tradition, that flourished ever since. During the past years Daniele Gatti has conducted strong and spectacular performances of four Mahler symphonies as a guest conductor. After the Fifth, Ninth, Sixth and Third, Gatti's first Mahler symphony as chief conductor was the Second Symphony. With this recording RCO Live is beginning a new Mahler cycle with Daniele Gatti. From the press: 'Gatti's Mahler is astounding.' Guido van Oorschot, Volkskrant; 'Gatti is a conductor who makes you reflect on what interpretation really is, should or could be nowadays.' Mischa Spel, NRC