Mahler: Symphony No. 4 / Schreker: Prelude to a Drama

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Schreker (Composer), Michael Gielen (Conductor), Whittlesey (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Whittlesey
• Conductor: Michael Gielen
• Composer: Gustav Mahler, Schreker
• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hanssler Classics
• ASIN: B000083ENC
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,606 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant also-ran in the Mahler sweepstakes, October 27, 2008

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 4 / Schreker: Prelude to a Drama (Audio CD)

Every Mahler symphony offers endless possibilities for emotional depth and musical imagination, so what can one say about a reading like this one of the Fourth Sym. that starts at the beginning, reaches the middle, and comes to an end? There are no remarkable events along the way. Other than being a bit brisk, and a little breathless in the finale, Gielen has nothing to say. But of course, that is what he wants to say, that Mahler, in his mind, shouldn't be seductive, ravishing, dramatic, turbulent, conflicted, ironic, faux-naive, sentimental, or volcanic.

If you agree, here's the Mahler Fourth for you. Among so-called "objective" readings (Reiner, Szell, Boulez), it's neat, cleanly played, and pleasant. The soprano in the finale, Christine Whittlesey, has the right child-like voice, although she does little to dramatize a child's view of heaven. The orchestra plays middling well, and the recorded sound from 1988 is clear and natural (a virtue common to all of Gielen's Mahler cycle).

The generous 18 min. filler, a lush but not overblown Vorspiel by Franz Schreker, is linked to Mahler by anti-Semitism. Schreker had a Jewish father, amking him fair game for being banned under the Nazis, even thogh he was lucky to die in 1934 before turning sixty. His style is almost identical to Korngold's, if less flamboyant. Gielen does well by this soothing, impresisonistic score, which could also be described as pleasant.

3.0 out of 5 stars OK, but one can do better than this., June 21, 2011

By 

J. K. Davis MD (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 4 / Schreker: Prelude to a Drama (Audio CD)

It's difficult to find a recording of Mahler's 4th where there isn't SOMETHING to like; it's the most accessible of his symphonies.If we start with the assumption of good sound quality and orchestral playing, there isn't much here beyond that. Try the Bernstein (SONY, not the DG)or Abbado (Berlin)for a totally different experience. If you want 'cooler' but beautiful sounding, Chailly or Maazel (VPO, Sony)are superior to this one IMHO.

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear as spring water., March 30, 2011

By 

R. Petersen (B.C. Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 4 / Schreker: Prelude to a Drama (Audio CD)

The most lyrical of Mahler's symphonies is beautifully presented on this recording - no bombast, no hysterics, no messing about. What I really like about this recording is the crystal clear sound and the orchestra's complete command of the music. This is a thoroughly assured performance. Nothing is overdone for effect, nothing is rushed, and the soloist in the 4th movement is the best I've ever heard, a warm, shimmering voice. Geilen's cerebral approach to Mahler didn't cut it (in my opinion) for his 9nth (listen to Barbirolli's 9nth!), but to my ears, his grounded and yet sympathetic direction brings out all the best contained in this sublime music, it's gentleness, it's pastoral idealism and story-telling whimsy. The 4th is unique in Mahler's cycle because of it's even good-temper. There is none of the caustic sarcasm or longing despair found in his other symphonies. It's a walk in the woods on a sunny day. Geilen allows the music to speak for itself. A definitive performance!