Being a Mahler lover and a fan of leonard Bernstein I was disappointed to find this recording quite pedestrian.There are much better interpretations available.
January 6, 2007 |  | Not the best performance of this symphony |  |
I like Bernstein, and this performance does have some charm to it. However, the rhythms are too choppy, the tempo changes too often, and there is not enough mystery. If you can find it, the very best performance of the Mahler 4th is by Leopold Ludwig and the Staatskapelle Dresden. It was recorded way back in 1957 and remains the best available interpretation, in my opinion. You can read my review of that CD for more details.
September 16, 2006 | | Amazingly fresh and vital | |
For years the Gramophone, among other sources of critical approval, has recommended a cautious, enervated Mahler Fourth by Maazel and the vienna Phil., also on Sony. This first Bernstein reading from New York, recorded in 1960, has been passed over, and yet it is amazingly fresh and exciting. Unfortunately, the Fourth has become, as one reviewer said, a lyrical intermezzo positioned between greater works, yet in Bernstein's hands it shines as an extension of the magical world of the Third Symphony, dreamlike and enchanted, full of wonder and spiritual intenisty. I hadn't listend to it for some years, and a recent reacquaintance reminded me that Bernstien earned his credentials as a Maherian, not by extroverted emotion but by having constant insights into Mahler's musical idiom. A great reading, arguably the greatest on disc.
October 26, 2005| | | Because I have dissed the 1990 DG Bernstein/Wittek Mahler #4 | |
I just want to note that this 1960 remastered version is great. I agree with all the positive comments below, but also want to emphasize that the sound is unusual & wonderful here. The microphones must have been mainly above Bernstein's head to get the unusually broad, clear sonic perspetive. The remastered sound is also of exceptional quality, and the resulting clarity fits the conductor's measured, highly resolved take on the music perfectly. Recommended, and a great bargain.
December 1, 2004| | | Still one of the most musical Mahler Fourths. | |
Despite the different explanations regarding what Mahler is telling us, it is obvious that Bernstein presents the Fourth Symphony in very musically appealing terms. Though typically identified with a broad range of emotional expression, especially in his Mahler interpretations, he actually seems a mite less sensitive or concerned with the sometimes lurking, uneasy aspects of this symphony, (in contrast to Tennstedt, for example). In the opening movement, the description, "dream-like", seems to fit Bernstein's portrayal. Simultaneously, he conveys an attractive lyricism. In the second ("death fiddler") movement, he expresses ample irony, while in the third, he radiates an almost aching beauty. A standout in the fourth movement is soprano Reri Grist, whose memorable performance sounds more child-like than most other sopranos I've heard. A good number of others have sounded "too adult", and some ridiculously so....I expressed high regard for Bernstein's Mahler Second, and not so high regard for his Mahler Fifth. Here, he delivers a reading I find both engrossing and very satisfying. For a long time, this has been and continues to be one of my favorite Mahler Fourths.
March 23, 2004More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(9 reviews)