Search - Gustav Mahler, Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symphony Orchestra :: Mahler: Symphony No. 4 [Hybrid SACD]

WoW!

Christopher OBrien | Chicago, IL United States | 11/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am one to avoid expressions like superlative, quintessential, the best, ultimate and the like...but this reading of Mahler's 4th has astonished me. The texture and detail that Reiner with the CSO at his command is able to pull out of the score is unlike any other reading I have ever heard of this piece. Every instrumental component of the orchestra rings clear and the sound quality is stunning. It is hands above most modern readings in terms of audio quality alone and these guys were dealing with three strategically placed microphones. Not so bad if you ask me. Even if you have others in your collection, such as I, like Bernstein I / II, Gielen, Bertini, Tilson Thomas and on, you should add this to your collection without delay. It has revealed to me elements of the score and as such Mahler's compositional grammar that I was not aware of before. An absolute must for any self respecting Mahlerite."

Excellent Mahler

T. Schmalz | New Jersey | 08/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One does not usually link Fritz Reiner with the music of Gustav Mahler; however, this recording, as well as the newly re-released "Das Lied von der Erde", is quite a surprise. The sound is spectacular and the level of interpretation is of the highest caliber. Lisa Della Casa's contribution is wonderful. All together, this is a glorious edition to RCA's Living Stereo Hybrid SACD series and well worth your money."

Reiner leads the Chicago at the Birth of Stereo in Mahler's

Doug - Haydn Fan | California | 12/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now over a half-century old - this Reiner led Chicago Symphony performance of the Mahler Symphony No. 4 was made at the beginning of Decmeber 1958 - we're now treated to a revisit to the original work in the high end SACD format. Reiner was a past master in the works of Richard Strauss, (See for example his shattering recordings of opera excerpts - Richard Strauss: Scenes from Salome & Elektra [Hybrid SACD] so it's a treat to hear Reiner's approach to Strauss's musical peer in probably the most accessible of the Mahler symphonies. Instrumental balances are very nicely judged, order is maintained in the most tumultuous sections, and much of the glamorous sound of the Chicago solo players emerges. Soprano Lisa della Casa does not let the side down in the last movement, and I thought Reiner did justice to most of the score, struggling only a bit when it came to clarifying the profoundly elegaic Andante. People often spoke of the Chicago Symphony under Reiner as the symphonic version of a fine wine - and the orchestra certainly does call up the height of luxury and distinction. While I cannot quite mark this down as an unforgettable performance, it IS an unforgettable opportunity to hear the spectacular Chicago Symphony of that Golden Era under agreat Straussian, Reiner, in such an excellently played and recorded historic performance of a Mahler symphony.



The much ballyhooed SACD sound definitely catches ones attention, with greater detailing and less of the glare heard in a previous version. Notes claim the original tapes were never subjected to any equalization, and I certainly am not going to argue. To my ear RCA made even better and more successful recordings of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra around this time. (See the above) In a couple moments of the Mahler the metal percussion instruments ting out far too harshly.



However, at this price Mahler buffs who like to compare different versions should feel free to indulge their fandom!



Note: For some reason Amazon has crossed over reviews of another modern performance of the Mahler with this reissue under Reiner and Chicago. I left Amazon a note and hopefully they'll fix the confusion.



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