Kubelik's is the greatest recording of the First Symphony, period. However the sound quality can't match up to the second best recording of it, which I list below.

Mehta's recording is legendary and for good reason. The tempos are brisk for the most part and the recording (though more than 30 years old) is exceptional. There is more excitement in this version than any other I know. Ludwig's vocal on Ulricht is my favorite recorded version.

Horenstein's 3rd is one of the most talked about Mahler recordings. Certainly it is the most revered 3rd ever recorded. The reason is that it holds together extremely well. In a 100 minute symphony that aspect is especially important. I have to comment that for me the sound quality is below standard. Check out the Chailly for an equally great alternative in amazing sound quality.

Like the Horenstein 3rd, Szell's 4th has been called definitive over all other recordings of the work. I absolutely agree. The Clevelanders play with the right amount of grace and enthusiasm. The tempos are perfect. The sound quality is better than most digital recordings, with very little analog hiss, well defined bass, and present but non-abrasive highs.

Barbirolli's 5th is a very famous recording. I have to admit, it took a while for me to get used to the slower tempi. But there are revelations within that are hard to hear in other recordings.

Mahler and Karajan are an interesting pair. I've heard Karajan referred to as the greatest of all R. Strauss conductors, but never the same about his Mahler because he came to Mahler so late in life, and recorded very few of his works. However, the symphonies which he managed to get down on tape are amongst the best ever recorded. This 6th is easily the best currently available.

It's really a shame that this is Mahler's least known symphony since it is one of his best. Bernstein's recording is the one which all others have been compared to since it's release.

This is the most recent edition of this super famous recording. Solti's is the most discussed Mahler 8 ever recorded. The soloists are very good. The conducting is superb. The sonics could be better, but it is close to excellent.

This makes it to my top 3 Mahler recordings. Wunderlich is beyond compare. Ludwig can only be matched by a select few, but not surpassed. Klemperer has the GREATEST understanding of this work of all conductors I know. And very strangely, the sound quality of this old recording, far exceeds any other recording I've ever heard of the work.

Haitink's Mahler 9 was declared upon its release by distinguished Mahler critic, Deryck Cooke, to be the greatest ever recorded, beyond criticism. There is no doubt that this recording is among the finest ever recorded of this work. Though there is a slight hiss, the sound quality is excellent.

Deryck Cooke, the great Mahlerian I mentioned above who cited Haitink's 9th as the greatest ever recorded, finished Mahler's unfinished 10th Symphony. Ormandy's was its debut recording. And today remains one of the finest!