Tannhauser is, at least, tolerable. I am going to check out some of the early recordings you mention, just to see if they spark anything in me, and I'll let you know. The issue I have with him is the overblown arrogance of his style. Ugh. He seems forever and always to substitute half a percussion section with all the brass where a simple woodwind would do. Now, Mahler, on the other hand... Mahler is a treat, as far as the Germanic composers go... Regardless, welcome to the site and thanks for listing the recordings you like. I would not have had a place to start, as I've never knowingly picked anything up by him.