Mahler: Symphony No.4 / Mackerras

Philharmonia Orchestra with Sarah Fox, soprano; Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911): Symphony No.4 in G major

Wholenote Discoveries - March 2011
The late Charles Mackerras belonged to the handful of conductors who became internationally known as the leading exponents in classical music in the late 20th century. Although there are recordings of Mahler’s First, Fifth and Sixth Symphonies and Das Knaben Wunderhorn, this is his first Fourth, recorded in concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra on 16 February 2006. Mackerras dusts off the score and gets straight to the point with brisk tempos and an ingenuous, optimistic outlook. The second movement is light-heartedly eerie. The third movement is extraordinarily beautiful, one of Mahler’s most expansive adagios, which could be the best on record... it certainly is for the exquisite balances and impact and timbre of the bass drum. The childlike, innocent view of heaven, sung by Sarah Fox, closes Mahler’s joyful opus. Signum Records is a privately owned company founded in 1997 and now also issues new live recordings of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Respected engineer Tony Faulkner is responsible for the exemplary recording. Bruce Surtees
Recorded at the Royal Festival Hall in February 2006, the next disc in Signum's series of live orchestral recordings with the Philharmonia features the late Sir Charles Mackerras conducting Mahler's Symphony No.4. The concert was a memorable one, as this review demonstrates:
"This performance was inspired and interesting ... Setting off at a no-nonsense, fastish speed, Mackerras's' appreciation of the numerous changes of tempos was a miracle of refined music-making that enhanced the rustic Joys of the first movement. What impressed so much was the innate humanity of this music that in other hands can come across as insincere.
Each movement received wonderful care for the sentiment that lies behind the notes; the slow movement in particular /was of a poise and serenity that was truly touching. The singing of Sarah Fox in the finale embellished the entire sense 01 I naturalness that was enshrined in this memorable rendition, a triumph for the oertnersnip of the
Phi/harmonia Orchestra, on riveting form, and the venerable Mackerras. "
Edward Clark, ClassicaISource.com, Feb 16th 2006

Price: $25.98

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