Juliane Banse, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (2000)

Normally, Mahler's Fourth Symphony is the one that you turn on for great background listening. It's beautiful, lyrical, and Mahler at his most mellow. But underneath its innocent exterior, there's a lot going on, and who better than technician Pierre Boulez to point out the mechanics? Boulez and the Cleveland Orchestra deliver an impressive performance of this heavenly work that, on the surface, stays clear of romanticism (or, to some ears, rampant emotion). Instead, Boulez focuses on clarity throughout each and every passage. From his quick-tempoed opening movement to the heart-warming "We Enjoy Heaven's Delights" song of the fourth (performed here by soprano Juliane Banse)--Boulez slowly transitions from clinical to dramatic. It's a captivating, modernist interpretation that's thoroughly enthralling. This shouldn't be your reference Fourth (save that for Bernstein and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra), but it is an innovative, great-sounding recording and a welcome addition to Boulez's Mahler cycle. -- Jason Verlinde