The Greatest Recordings EVER! Mahler: Symphony No. 4

Mahler: Symphony No. 4. Kathleen Battle (soprano), Vienna Philharmonic, Lorin Maazel (cond.) Sony Classical

[AlanP]

What an emotional, beautiful recording! Had you not recommended this, I would not have given it a listen since there are so many other excellent recordings, and of course, your ambivalent feeling towards Lorin Maazel.

[danielo.masson]

"For the moment, this is the greatest recording ever." Like very much this line, which keeps room for moments to live.

[horsedoctorman]

A disc I acquired some time ago on your recommendation and yes it is truly great. Thank you.

[LyleFrancisDelp]

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.

[DavidJohnson-ofvh]

Gosh, haven't heard that one. Thanks.

[SuuSinator]

I love Szell's and Klemperer's Mahler 4, gotta check this one out!

[IPANoah]

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.

[chrisallen]

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.

[BigE-Ian]

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!

[PeterDeWilde-kf]

What do you think about Nanut with a boy soprano, sounds so ‘authentic’, Mahler in Lublijana

[herbchilds]

Has this symphony ever been recorded (or performed) with an actual child soprano soloist?

[prospervic]

Maazel’s is very “sweet”, but a little too slow for my taste. I prefer Fischer — it’s enchanting.

[JackBurttrumpetstuff]

One word evaluation of Maazel’s career: Untrustworthy.

[sergueilarionov]

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