have not always been a fan of Boulez' Mahler. For the most part I find him too "cool." However, the 7th is probably the most abstract and least emotional of the Mahler works. I am suprised at his tempi in the first movement (somehat slow but not as slow as the lumbering Klemperer.) Yet, overall its a good performance and the Cleveland players perform well. My favorite in this work has always been the first Bernstein recording. He really makes the work sound exciting and the NY Philharmonic plays their hearts out for him. His second recording on DG is good but the New York Philharmonic recording is better.