Mahler (1860-1911) - Symphony No, 4, : Gergiev / London Symphony Orchestra, Claycomb - Import SACD Hybrid

Credits:

Gustav Mahler

Description:

-The charismatic conductor of our time, Gergiev and the London Symphony Orchestra, and the LSO, his hand-picked army of conductors, finally resume their Mahler series. The seventh installment, No. 4, was recorded live at the Barbican on January 12, 2008, the day before the performance of No. 1 "Titan" (LSO0663). The LSO's recording of Mahler's Fourth Symphony is the first recording of the LSO's Fourth Symphony, which, along with the First Symphony, was one of Mahler's most popular symphonies because of its compact size and its connection to his own "songs," which have a familiar and appealing appeal. The LSO has previously recorded it live in Oldborough with Britten in 1961 (BBCB8004, out of print), in a session recording with Morris in 1989, and live with Previn conducting in 2002 (not yet released).Gergiev's distinctive approach to the music, including No. 6 (LSO0661), which seems to stir up the frustrations and anxieties of the modern age, is a clear indication that something is likely to happen with No. 4 in Gergiev's hands. The third movement is the most characteristic. In the slow movement, Gergiev achieves something remarkable, something truly magical, by moving the music forward without losing sight of its inherent inspiration. Whatever one may think of the rest of the performance, that is exactly what made it worthwhile." (The Guardian) The grandeur of the third movement reminded me of Tennstedt's 1976 live recording with the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra, a different type of Mahler performance from Gergiev's but somehow equally extraordinary in London. From the reviewer's description of the performance, we can expect great things from this recording.Laura Claycomb's finale, in which she sings with the utmost delicacy about a child's view of paradise in "Life Above," really awakens Mahler's spirit, if perhaps lacking in power. Mahler's spirit, if perhaps lacking in power, was truly awakened." (The Times) Claycomb's solo singing shone in the Tilson-Thomas disc recorded live in 2003, and it will be interesting to see how he responds in the Gergiev disc. Gergiev's Mahler at the climax: "Those who consider Mahler's Fourth to be the most serene of his symphonies may have found that notion challenged by Gergiev's thorough interpretation of the performance. Far from being a bright, idyllic pastoral, it tended toward anxiety and tension rather than any kind of peaceful nostalgia.It was perhaps this struggle between comfort and concern that made the performance so engaging and the music so unnerving. ［The general impression was of a freshly rendered and irresistibly absorbing Mahler Fourth." (The Daily Telegraph) It seems to me that the fact that the performances are not just accepted as rambling is emblematic of the nature of this series. --- (The Daily Telegraph)

Tracklisting:

1.Symphony No. 4 in G major: Bedachtig. Nicht eilen
2.Symphony No. 4 in G major: In gemachlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast
3.Symphony No. 4 in G major: Ruhevoll (Poco adagio - Allegretto subito - Allegro subito)
4.Symphony No. 4 in G major: Sehr behaglich ('Wir genieben die himmlischen Freuden')