Mahler: Symphony No. 4 [Hybrid SACD]
![Mahler: Symphony No. 4 [Hybrid SACD]](/images/Mahler-Symphony-No-4-Hybrid-SACD-B0001LVZDE-L.jpg)
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Music CD Cover
Performer: Stephen PaulsonPerformer: Ben Freimuth
Composer: Gustav Mahler
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Performer: Julie Ann Giacobassi
Performer: Robin McKee
Performer: Robert Ward [Horn Player]
Performer: William Bennett
Orchestra: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Performer: Laura Claycomb
Performer: Alexander Barantschik
Edition: Music CD
Format: Hybrid SACD, Import
CD Release Date: 2004-11-09
Music Label: San Francisco Sym
Free Music Notes for Mahler: Symphony No. 4 [Hybrid SACD]
Free Music Review: A very special performance
Hit: 5 Stars
For almost half a century George Szell's recording of the 4th has been largely considered the finest ever put down. It is an excellent interpretation with exceptional singing from Judith Raskin. And while I own over 30 recordings of the 4th, I always ended up preferring the Szell. One version in particular I found to be a fine alternative, Lorin Maazel's with the Vienna Phil and Kathleen Battle. While Maazel did not bring the piece across with the same complete realization as Szell, the acceptional vocal on the fourth movement always stood out for me as the best ever recorded.
However, one day everything changed for me with regards to the way I enjoy the 4th. It was the day I heard this Michael Tilson Thomas recording. I immediately felt more connected to it than any other. The tempo was perfect in each movement for the piece to be fully realized. Yes the third movement is exceptionally slow, I believe the longest ever recorded. BUT the playing fits this accentuation. I have trouble listening to the adagio played any faster, because I hear its full potential at this slower speed. The vocal here by Claycomb is on par with Raskin and nearly as beautiful as Battle's. I will say this, because of the slow tempo of the 3rd movement here, there is a greater emphasis on the importance of this movement. Many conductors I find tend to view the WHOLE 4th symphony in the light of the last movement, which was the symphony's seed. What essentially happens is the whole performance conveys a fairy tale-like aura. This is fine in the 1st, 2nd, and last movements, but in the 3rd there isr a entirely different necessity. Mahler said of this movement that it was a portrait in music of his Mother and memories of him with her. What we know of Mahler's mother is that aside from being possibly the most important person in Mahler's life, she was abused both physically and mentally, and the torment of this had a deeply disturbing effect on the young boy. Please listen to this movement with this in mind and you will understand just why its taken at the tempo it is played at here.
I've learned to wait a good 6 months before sharing my opinions on a particular recording, in this case I've waited over a year. The reason for this is when I make a claim such as this, I want to be sure I'm not having puppy love with a brand new recording.
A side note - The recorded sound is the best you will ever hear for this symphony.
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