Search - Gustav Mahler, Andrew Litton, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Mahler: Symphony 4 - Ann Murray, Andrew Litton, Royal Philharmonic

It's not all wrong, but it's not all right either

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/24/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"


When a rising young conductor's career stalls in mid-flight, it's due to recordings like this one. The young American Adnrew Litton was British cased before he got is present appointment in Dallas, but despite glowing encouragement from The Gramophone, there's no hiding that this is a mediocre reading of the Mahler Fourth. Litton must love Mahler; he's recorded a lot of it form Dallas. But he has no natural feeling for Mahler's idiom. Rhythms are heavy, phrasing clumsy. Noting is a disaster, and the Royal Phil., which has become the step-child of London's orchestras, plays nicely. Mahler wihtout eloquence, however, simply doesn't register on the scales. The finale is takne at a relaxed walking pace, and Ann Murray--a rare mezzo in the vocal solo--brings heartfelt warmth to her part. even so, Litton has little feeling for the innocence and wonder of this movement. In all, a medium-good Fourth in a crowded field."

Penguin Guide Got This One Right!

D. Fitzke | Tennessee, USA | 06/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I often don't agree with The Penguin Guide's top recommendations for Mahler's symphonies but they certainly hit the mark with this recording. No, we're not talking big names here but Andrew Litton and the RPO have put together a graceful, unaffected reading captured in demonstration quality sound. Ann Murray matches the mood perfectly with her beautiful yet simple phrasing in the last movement. I particularly admired Litton's treatment of Mahler's false climaxes in the 3rd movement in which tension is quickly ratcheted up then gradually loosened as the music wavers then winds back down. The playing of the RPO is terrific with woodwinds -- so important in Mahler -- a particular highlight. With over 20 recordings of this piece in my collection (please don't tell my wife) and years of listening experience I feel pretty qualified in distinguishing the wheat from the chaff in this repertoire. And at the incredibly low prices I've seen (I paid less than $5 -- with shipping) serious Mahlerites should at least give this little known gem a try."