Maestro Zubin Mehta was 79 years old at the time of this performance in 2015. Born in Bombay on 29th April, 1936, in a Parsee family with Mr. Mehli Mehta, his father , himself an eminent conductor; founder of Bombay Symphony Orchestra. I am really blessed and proud to have such a virtuoso conductor . He has always shown a remarkable prowess, inginuity and great talent in conducting repertoire of few of the techically very difficult composers viz. Giuseppe Verdi, Gioachhino Puccini, Gustav Mahler, to name a few. He is " aparo"( means Our) Zubin. He retired from conducting in 2019 @ the age 83 with performance of probably Puccini's Turandot or Symphony of Mahler with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, which is their on KZfaq under the title " Last 3 minutes of Maestro Mehta conducting".

​@@adityapurohit8232 Giacomo Puccini oder Gioachino Rossini ??

What are your qualifications to make that statement? And the link you posted is not available.

@@user-sz8lo3zh4u My ears. And 40 years of enjoying classical music and hearing a dozen or more renditions of the Mahler Second. A m I required to have any other qualifications? That's a shame...it was a great rendition. Look for Herbert Bloomstedt and the San Francisco Symphony's recording, and listen to the ending for the sound I'm looking for.

I respect and envy your years of concert attendance. And that you have seen this work performed so many times does entitle you to form a strong opinion. But, in the end it is only your opinion and does not rise to the level of "qualification". Who is to say that THIS performance might be the correct one and the others are wrong? So unless one can find Mahler's published remarks on his intent regarding the last movement of his 2nd symphony it remains a matter of interpretation by each individual conductor. If the original score exists as written by Mahler himself then it would be clear how it should be played. If that is not available, then it's anyone's guess. Opinions clearly can open the conversation to constructive debate. But in the end, they remain only opinions and not fact. Your opinion is to be respected, but is exactly that, your opinion.

@@user-sz8lo3zh4u I think we are on the same page. I didn't say the ending was "wrong;" only that it was "weak." This is of course only my opinion, and based on my preference for how the final few bars of the closing climax sound the best. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. As to your idea about "expertise" evaluating a performance, all classical music listeners, from new listeners, long time aficionados, to conductors, to professional players are qualified to have an opinion. Some can be given more weight than others but they are all valid. And I appreciate your feedback and our exchange of views on this beautiful music 🎶🎶🎶

We are, indeed, on the same page. There are those who are taken with the interpretation of a particular conductor or symphony and are sophisticated enough to be able to identify them. I'm not that person! I've now gone back and listened to other performances and although I am unable to find the one you suggested, I find that I agree with your opinion. At the very least, I do like the stronger emphasis on the percussion at the end. So, you have helped me to achieve a better understanding of this work and for that I am grateful. Hearing this work performed for the first time was a profound "musical moment " and now I have to decide whether to try to repeat that experience or not. In many things, one has to consider whether it may be better to try and duplicate that moment or not. Perhaps, for me, it is better to hold the emotions close to my heart rather than be disappointed going forward and diluting the joy of the initial experience. I haven't decided. I wish you well and hope that you will have many more opportunities to enjoy this wonderful work if that is what you wish. I would love sitting next to you at any performance of anything anywhere. Again, thank you for opening my eyes a little further!

I agree. I cut my classical teeth on Bernstein's collection of all 9 Mahler symphonies on vinyl, and I guess I can't let go of his timing.

His best Mahler 2 could be the 1974 recording with Wiener philharmonic,even that was bit rushed at times

Tempi were perfect. No phony exaggerations.

​@@stephanosc6603 Es gibt noch eine unvollendete 10. Symphonie.