I just happened to notice the following news item on the EMI website news section.
" Simon Rattle and the BPO Record Mahler's Symphony No. 9
27 Sep 2007
'The performance of Gustav Mahler's 9th symphony was one of the most wonderful accomplishments of Simon Rattle as conductor of this orchestra.' (Berliner Zeitung)
Simon Rattle, who has built a reputation as a distinguished Mahler interpreter through his vast Mahler back-catalogue on EMI Classics, will complete a new recording of the composer's Symphony No. 9 with the Berliner Philharmoniker at the end of October 2007.
EMI Classics plan an exclusive worldwide digital only release in November 2007 which will coincide with both the BPO and Sir Simon's central performances at New York's Carnegie Hall Berlin in Lights festival and the Orchestra's 125th anniversary celebrations in Berlin. The CD will follow with an international release in March 2008.
The Berliner Philharmoniker opened their 2007/08 season with performances of Symphony No. 9 which were reprised the following week at the Festivals of Salzburg and Lucerne, when the Oberösterreichische Nachrichten wrote, 'Sir Simon Rattle has once again demonstrated his great affinity for this music and his ability to recreate it in the most thrilling fashion. […] It is hardly possible to imagine a realisation of this music at once more moving and more menacing. The finale was heavenly, with the Berliners pulling out all the stops. Outstanding solo playing, subtly savoured colours, saturated and warmly sonorous chords and a pianissimo that died away into utter oblivion – all these contributed to making this a sensational concert.'
Sir Simon and the Berliner Philharmoniker have previously recorded Mahler’s Symphonies Nos. 5 and 10; both discs received outstanding critical acclaim and have been best-sellers. Sir Simon’s first Mahler recording was Symphony No. 2 with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1987. He previously recorded Symphony No. 9 with the Wiener Philharmoniker in 1993. "