3 new CDs are must-haves for any classical music fans

SUSAN GRAHAM, MEZZO-SOPRANO, THOMAS HAMPSON, BARITONE, MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS, CONDUCTOR, SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY: Mahler: Songs with Orchestra (San Francisco Symphony) ★★★★

MURRAY PERAHIA, PIANO: Brahms: Handel Variations, Rhapsodies, Piano Pieces (Sony Classical) ★★★★

CYPRESS STRING QUARTET; Beethoven: Late Quartets, vol. 2 (Cypress Performing Arts Association) ★★★

To understand Gustav Mahler's symphonies, one needs to know his songs. Several of them were the basis for his early symphonies, but more importantly the songs help define Mahler as a composer. Vocal music was a significant part of his creative output throughout his short life.

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas' recent album contains some of Mahler's best known cycles, the "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" and the "Rückert-Lieder," as well as five songs from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn."

Joining Tilson Thomas and his San Francisco Symphony are baritone Thomas Hampson and mezzo-soprano Susan Graham.

Hampson gives a powerfully delineated account of the "Gesellen" songs. His interpretation is filled with passion and feeling, as well as tenderness, sorrow and anguish as the texts recount an unhappy love affair.

He is also wonderful in the musically and stylistically varied "Wunderhorn" selections.

Graham brings rich lyricism and broad expressiveness to the "Rückert-Lieder." Her singing is beautifully phrased and she fully captures the warmth and depth of these gorgeous songs.

The orchestra under Tilson Thomas' direction plays seamlessly and balances the voices perfectly.

Pianist Murray Perahia is one of today's foremost interpreters of 19th century German repertoire, and specifically the works of Johannes Brahms. His performances always capture the scope of Brahms' music — the passion and drama of the earlier works and the introspection of the late pieces. There is a naturalness to his playing that always enhances the experience of listening to him play this music.

Perahia's new album is absolutely wonderful. It starts with the fairly early Handel Variations, op. 24, in which Brahms shows his self assuredness in writing for the piano, which he develops and hones throughout his life.