Analogophic / Deutsche Grammophon - LP43012 - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
DGG 423 607-1 - Pressed at Pallas Germany - Limited Edition
Audiophile Laquer Disc Cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Mastered from the Original Masters
Leonard Bernstein conducts the Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam & soprano Helmut Wittek for this audiophile pressing of Mahler's Fourth Symphony. Violin solo performed by Jaap van Zweden.
"The only similarity with the CBS record is the relative closeness of the microphone placing, designed to give the woodwinds maximum impact. Bernstein is at what some will take to be his most mannered in parts of the scherzo, but here and everywhere else in the symphony his conducting tellingly arbitrates between energy and leisure; and there is an agreeable congruence between Mahler's written tempo directions and Bernstein's own inevitably personal feelings about the music's pulses. In fine, this is Mahler shrewdly and sympathetically conducted by a fellow composer...So while you mull over the various alternatives...let me commend to you this original, ungimmicky, musically searching performance as a worthy addendum to any Mahler collection." -Richard Osborne, Gramophone
"Leonard Bernstein's earlier recording of this symphony for Sony was, and remains, one of the best. This one (released in 1990), however, really is something special. As in his recording of the First with this orchestra, Bernstein's tempos have markedly speeded up, especially in the slow movement. He seems to have really discovered the secret of the music's essential innocence, and he now knows exactly when to make a point and when to just let the music speak naturally. The use of a boy soprano in the finale is unique but not unexpected. Mahler himself thought about it but opted for an adult soprano because he believed that this would prove less limiting to future performances of the work. He was right, of course, but so is Bernstein for letting us hear the composer's original thoughts in such a pure and enjoyable form.
Musicians:
Helmut Wittek, soprano
Jaap van Zweden, violin solo
Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam
Leonard Bernstein, conductor
Selections:
Side A:
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 4
1. Bedachtig. Nicht eilen
2. In gemachlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast
Side B:
3. Ruhevoll
4. Sehr behaglich (Text from Des Knaben Sunderhorn)
Recorded Amsterdam, Concertgebouw, June 1987
60 Years Pallas
Audiophile Vinyl - Made in Germany For over 60 years the family business in the third generation of the special personal service and quality "Made by Pallas" is known worldwide. Our custom PVC formulation produces consistently high pressing quality with the lowest surface noise in the industry. Our PVC complies with 2015 European environmental standards and does not contain toxic materials such as Lead, Cadmium or Toluene. Our vinyl is both audiophile and eco-grade!
