Marc Albrecht, Elizabeth Watts - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (2015) [SACD]
![Marc Albrecht, Elizabeth Watts - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (2015) [SACD]](https://www.dibpic.com/uploads/posts/2023-05/1685261854_mahler-4-albrecht-npho-cover.jpg)
BAND/ARTIST: Marc Albrecht, Elizabeth Watts
- Title: Mahler: Symphony No. 4
- Year Of Release: 2015
- Label: Penta Tone [PTC 5186 487]
- Genre: Classical
- Quality: DSD64 image (*.iso) / 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz
- Total Time: 00:57:53
- Total Size: 2,7 GB (+3%rec.)
- WebSite: Album Preview
"The work is like a beautiful dream, an indispensable link in the series of Mahler’s nine symphonies..."
In what appears to be an auspicious beginning of a Mahler symphony cycle, Marc Albrecht and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra offer the Symphony No. 4 in a deluxe audiophile presentation that's sure to build anticipation for a full set. (This hybrid SACD follows the 2013 release on PentaTone of Das Lied von der Erde, which is the actual starting point for Albrecht's Mahler, though that masterpiece is seldom included with the numbered symphonies.) This is an engaging performance with charming singing by soprano Elizabeth Watts in the joyous vocal finale, "Wir genießen die himmlischen Freuden," and the orchestra's playing is imbued with the playfulness and childlike fantasy that have made this one of Mahler's most popular works. The multichannel recording captures the delightful magical quality of the orchestration, from the scintillating sleigh bells of the opening measures to the soothing harp ostinato that closes the symphony, and every detail is wonderfully clear and contributes to the work's vibrant and colorful atmosphere. Highly recommended.
allmusic.com
Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 portrays another side of the composer, different to the one hitherto seen by the general public. No major battles are fought in this symphony; rather, it is a portrayal of a childlike vision of life and a better world in the Hereafter.
Mahler’s Dutch friend and colleague, Alphons Diepenbrock, may well have provided the most fitting description of the nature of this symphony and its position within Mahler’s oeuvre: “[...] in his Symphony No. 4, he exclusively praises the sensations of the soul, severed from all earthly ties, from various angles - either as childish yet unearthly merriment, or as the highest ecstasy attained by mystics in bygone years during the contemplation of the divine.
However, one should not search for irony here. The work is like a beautiful dream, an indispensable link in the series of Mahler’s nine symphonies that speak sufficiently of harsh reality, and that, according to some, will one day be considered the monumental musical oeuvre of the present day.”
The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra lives up to its reputation for its brilliant Mahler performances and surpasses all expectations under the baton of conductor Marc Albrecht. And Elizabeth Watts’ performance in the final movement is surely one not to be missed. The chemistry between Watts and the orchestra is utterly pervasive. With a voice described by International Record Review as “one of the most beautiful Britain has produced in a generation”, Watts sweeps the listener off their feet with this sunny, accessible symphony from Mahler.
The perfect combination of immaculate performance with impeccable PentaTone sound quality can only result in a magical musical experience.
classicalnext.com
Tracks:
Symphony No. 4 In G
1 Bedächtig. Nicht Eilen – Recht Gemächlich 16:32
2 Im Gemächlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast 10:14
3 Ruhevoll (Poco Adagio) 21:42
4 Sehr Behaglich "Wir Genießen Die Himmlischen Freuden" (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) 9:20
Personnel:
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor – Marc Albrecht
Soprano Vocals – Elizabeth Watts
![Marc Albrecht, Elizabeth Watts - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (2015) [SACD]](https://www.dibpic.com/uploads/posts/2023-05/1685261864_mahler-4-albrecht-npho-back.jpg)
In what appears to be an auspicious beginning of a Mahler symphony cycle, Marc Albrecht and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra offer the Symphony No. 4 in a deluxe audiophile presentation that's sure to build anticipation for a full set. (This hybrid SACD follows the 2013 release on PentaTone of Das Lied von der Erde, which is the actual starting point for Albrecht's Mahler, though that masterpiece is seldom included with the numbered symphonies.) This is an engaging performance with charming singing by soprano Elizabeth Watts in the joyous vocal finale, "Wir genießen die himmlischen Freuden," and the orchestra's playing is imbued with the playfulness and childlike fantasy that have made this one of Mahler's most popular works. The multichannel recording captures the delightful magical quality of the orchestration, from the scintillating sleigh bells of the opening measures to the soothing harp ostinato that closes the symphony, and every detail is wonderfully clear and contributes to the work's vibrant and colorful atmosphere. Highly recommended.
allmusic.com
Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 portrays another side of the composer, different to the one hitherto seen by the general public. No major battles are fought in this symphony; rather, it is a portrayal of a childlike vision of life and a better world in the Hereafter.
Mahler’s Dutch friend and colleague, Alphons Diepenbrock, may well have provided the most fitting description of the nature of this symphony and its position within Mahler’s oeuvre: “[...] in his Symphony No. 4, he exclusively praises the sensations of the soul, severed from all earthly ties, from various angles - either as childish yet unearthly merriment, or as the highest ecstasy attained by mystics in bygone years during the contemplation of the divine.
However, one should not search for irony here. The work is like a beautiful dream, an indispensable link in the series of Mahler’s nine symphonies that speak sufficiently of harsh reality, and that, according to some, will one day be considered the monumental musical oeuvre of the present day.”
The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra lives up to its reputation for its brilliant Mahler performances and surpasses all expectations under the baton of conductor Marc Albrecht. And Elizabeth Watts’ performance in the final movement is surely one not to be missed. The chemistry between Watts and the orchestra is utterly pervasive. With a voice described by International Record Review as “one of the most beautiful Britain has produced in a generation”, Watts sweeps the listener off their feet with this sunny, accessible symphony from Mahler.
The perfect combination of immaculate performance with impeccable PentaTone sound quality can only result in a magical musical experience.
classicalnext.com
Tracks:
Symphony No. 4 In G
1 Bedächtig. Nicht Eilen – Recht Gemächlich 16:32
2 Im Gemächlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast 10:14
3 Ruhevoll (Poco Adagio) 21:42
4 Sehr Behaglich "Wir Genießen Die Himmlischen Freuden" (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) 9:20
Personnel:
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor – Marc Albrecht
Soprano Vocals – Elizabeth Watts
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