Search - Gustav Mahler, Michael Gielen, SWF Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden :: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 4 In G Major

A first-rate Mahlerian

08/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Herbert Kegel is certainly not a very well known name today, but he was a major conductor and his two interpretations of Mahler symphonies (the 4th and the 1st, all on Berlin Classics) have become references. The Fourth may be one of Mahler's most known symphonies, though not one of his easiest. I won't spend many words : Kegel is exceptional, Casapietra has a heavenly voice, and both contribute to make this CD a must-have for all Mahlerians.In my collection, this CD won't supersede Mengelberg but in this symphony, Kegel is far better than Bernstein or, more recently, Boulez. Also try his harsh, cruel interpretation of the 1st, heartily recommended !"

A very interesting alternative

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 01/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gielen's interpretation of Mahler's fourth will not please everyone. Especially the finale demands an ear for radical interpretations. How should the naivety of this movement come off? Gielen's solution is to emphasize the ironical. This effect is also - for good or bad - what his soloist manages to produce very well.



Having said that, the recording has a place in every collector's shelf. The playing is accurate and engineering is first class. And when it comes to the question of interpretational qualities in total, the first three movements will hardly disappoint anyone.



I recommend this disc for collectors that want to expand their Mahler collection with an interesting alternative. It is the perfect choice if you already have Horenstein's, Szell's, and Maazel's interpretations.



(Amazon has moved this review to a page featuring Kegel's interpretation of the fourth. I don't understand why. In any case, Kegel's interpretation is greater than Gielen's!)"