In Gustav Mahler's first four symphonies many of the themes originate in his own settings of folk poems from the collection DesÂ KnabenÂ WunderhornÂ (The Boy's Magic Horn). A case in point, Symphony No.?4 is built around a single song, DasÂ himmlischeÂ Leben (The Heavenly Life) which Mahler had composed some eight years earlier, in 1892. The song presents a child's vision of Heaven and is hinted at throughout the first three movements. In the fourth, marked 'SehrÂ behaglich' (Very comfortably), the song is heard inÂ full fromÂ a solo soprano instructed by Mahler to sing: 'with serene, childlike expression; completely without parody!' The symphony is scored for a typically large, late-romantic orchestra (though without trombones and tuba) and an extensive percussion section which includes sleigh bells as well as glockenspiel. However, Mahler mostly deploys his forces with a transparency and lightness more akin to chamber music or eighteenth-century models like Mozart or Haydn. The Fourth has become one of his best-loved symphonies and is here performed by Minnesota Orchestra andÂ OsmoÂ VÃ¤nskÃ¤, joined by the angelic voice of English soprano Carolyn Sampson.

Tracklist:

Symphony No. 4 In G Major: I. Bedächtig. Nicht Eilen
Symphony No. 4 In G Major: II. In Gemächlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast
Symphony No. 4 In G Major: III. Ruhevoll, Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 4 In G Major: IV. Sehr Behaglich

UPC: 7318599923567
Label: Bis
Release Date: 1.3.20
Format: CD

Mahler / Sampson / Vanska - Symphony 4 (CD)