Agree wholeheartedly. Maazel's Vienna Mahler cycle contains at least two other fabulous performances..the 2nd and the 5th, easily among the best ever recorded, IMO. The idiomatic SOUND of the VPO, combined with Maazel's sense of shape and accentuation..even when the tempo seems too slow...has an uncanny "correct" sound for this music (ie: the Scherzo of the 2nd). And the rhythmic poise which he brings to the music..which immediately caught my ear after decades of listening to these symphonies.... is remarkably effective in sustaining the music, even when the tempo is slow. And COLOR? Unbeatable. The central section of the 4th's 1st Mvt....the spooky, spectral, folksy "backwoods" character has never been captured more brilliantly, again due to Maazel's amazing control and ear for sonority. I realize I'm fighting an uphill battle here, but felt it worthwhile to contribute my thoughts. LR
Lorin Maazel did a stand in Die Walkure afternoon broadcast I heard in the UK on radio 3 when James Levine was poorly It was fabulous It really sizzled along - all of a piece - like great European conductors seem to do effortlessly
YES. This is the truly one redeeming disc of Maazel's Vienna Mahler cycle. I must confess...my first recording ever of the Mahler 2nd was Maazel/VPO on LP from the International Preview Society. Yes, I now have many better recordings, but I still like that Maazel...even if it's a bit slow. But that 4th really is one of the greatest.
David, Mahler 4 is one of my favs. However, I am not familiar with this Maazel recording, but no doubt that will be rectified by the end of this weekend! My personal choice is one I know you also like, Andre Previn with the Pittsburgh Sym. Orch. with Elly Ameling. I can also highly recommend that to anyone taking the time to go thru the comments. Thanks for another video and a recommendation for a great recording of a great piece!
The Maazel recording with Battle was the first Mahler recording I ever owned. It is fantastic, but I think in many ways Bernstein's recording with the Concertgebouw surpasses it. Although I way prefer the use of a women soprano to the boy soprano.
I only have 10 Mahler 4s so am probably not qualified to comment but , whilst the Maazel is right up there and has been for years, I do think Ivan Fischers version is a worthy contender.
A bit off topic, sorry. You keep saying that music is just entertainment. Which is just one aspect of it. It is business too. But most importantly (for me) that it is art . Which became entertainment when performed (which might never happen). If it is not created as art, then it is usually of low interest(like people repeating the same stuff again and again). So if you define something, please look at all (or as many as possible) aspects of it. Thanks for all of your exciting reviews etc
Who decides what is art? And according to what criteria? Maybe Dave, in saying that music is mainly about entertainement, wants to establish a minimum “definition” everybody can consider generally accepted.
"For the moment, this is the greatest recording ever." Like very much this line, which keeps room for moments to live.
Gosh, haven't heard that one. Thanks.
Agree wholeheartedly. Maazel's Vienna Mahler cycle contains at least two other fabulous performances..the 2nd and the 5th, easily among the best ever recorded, IMO. The idiomatic SOUND of the VPO, combined with Maazel's sense of shape and accentuation..even when the tempo seems too slow...has an uncanny "correct" sound for this music (ie: the Scherzo of the 2nd). And the rhythmic poise which he brings to the music..which immediately caught my ear after decades of listening to these symphonies.... is remarkably effective in sustaining the music, even when the tempo is slow.
And COLOR? Unbeatable. The central section of the 4th's 1st Mvt....the spooky, spectral, folksy "backwoods" character has never been captured more brilliantly, again due to Maazel's amazing control and ear for sonority. I realize I'm fighting an uphill battle here, but felt it worthwhile to contribute my thoughts. LR
Lorin Maazel did a stand in Die Walkure afternoon broadcast I heard in the UK on radio 3 when James Levine was poorly
It was fabulous
It really sizzled along - all of a piece - like great European conductors seem to do effortlessly
Wonderful recording!
A disc I acquired some time ago on your recommendation and yes it is truly great. Thank you.
YES. This is the truly one redeeming disc of Maazel's Vienna Mahler cycle. I must confess...my first recording ever of the Mahler 2nd was Maazel/VPO on LP from the International Preview Society. Yes, I now have many better recordings, but I still like that Maazel...even if it's a bit slow. But that 4th really is one of the greatest.
I love Szell's and Klemperer's Mahler 4, gotta check this one out!
David, Mahler 4 is one of my favs. However, I am not familiar with this Maazel recording, but no doubt that will be rectified by the end of this weekend! My personal choice is one I know you also like, Andre Previn with the Pittsburgh Sym. Orch. with Elly Ameling. I can also highly recommend that to anyone taking the time to go thru the comments. Thanks for another video and a recommendation for a great recording of a great piece!
The Maazel recording with Battle was the first Mahler recording I ever owned. It is fantastic, but I think in many ways Bernstein's recording with the Concertgebouw surpasses it. Although I way prefer the use of a women soprano to the boy soprano.
Bernstein NY recordings is also better than the Amsterdam version.
I only have 10 Mahler 4s so am probably not qualified to comment but , whilst the Maazel is right up there and has been for years, I do think Ivan Fischers version is a worthy contender.
What do you think about Nanut with a boy soprano, sounds so ‘authentic’ , Mahler in Lublijana
A fine Mahler 4, without a doubt, though there are a number of others I enjoy more.
Maazel’s is very “sweet”, but a little too slow for my taste. I prefer Fischer - it’s enchanting.
I think the same, but more than "sweet", boring.
Both Maazel and Fischer are my two favorites.
One word evaluation of Maazel’s career: Untrustworthy.
How about "unpredictable"? Your suggestion implies ill intent. LR
A bit off topic, sorry. You keep saying that music is just entertainment. Which is just one aspect of it. It is business too. But most importantly (for me) that it is art . Which became entertainment when performed (which might never happen). If it is not created as art, then it is usually of low interest(like people repeating the same stuff again and again). So if you define something, please look at all (or as many as possible) aspects of it. Thanks for all of your exciting reviews etc
Who decides what is art? And according to what criteria? Maybe Dave, in saying that music is mainly about entertainement, wants to establish a minimum “definition” everybody can consider generally accepted.
@ generally accepted definition of music is art :) . As for who decides then author knows what she/he is creating and we just trying to figure it out
Maazel’s is very “sweet”, but a little too slow for my taste. I prefer Fischer - it’s enchanting.