Composer: Gustav Mahler
Performer: Dorothea Röschmann
Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Conductor: Mariss Jansons
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: RCO Live
Catalogue: RCO15004
Release: 2015
Size: 937 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 4
01. I. Bedachtig, nicht eilen
02. II. In gemachlicher Bewegung, ohne Hast
03. III. Ruhevoll, poco adagio
04. IV. Sehr behaglich
Continuing his Mahler cycle on RCO Live, Mariss Jansons turns in a euphoric reading of the brightest of the symphonies, the Symphony No. 4 in G major. The joyous melodies, playful thematic development, and bright orchestration have made this one of the most popular of Mahler’s symphonies, and Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra deliver a buoyant interpretation that sparkles in this hybrid SACD from the orchestra’s own label. The orchestral movements are infused with a lilting charm that evokes the Classical past as well as the opulence of the belle époque, and the ensemble clearly enjoys playing with a gemutlich tone and carefully controlled rubato. Joined by soprano Dorothea Röschmann in the finale, Jansons and the musicians paint a vivid impression of a child’s idea of heaven, and the conductor keeps the music light and ethereal, reflecting the beatific visions in the text. This is one of the most cogent of Jansons’ Mahler performances, and it is a definite high point in this acclaimed series.
With Gustav Mahler, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has a very special relationship. The composer conducted the orchestra no less than 12 times and found in Amsterdam an understanding audience. Mahler’s Fourth Symphony was premiered in Amsterdam by the composer, who conducted it twice, once before and once after the interval, so that the audience could get to know the work better. With this release, Mariss Jansons and the Concertgebouw orchestra add an impressive new chapter to the RCO’s recorded history of Mahler Symphonies.