Concertgebouw Orchestra Mahler Symphony No.4 Haitink Schafer

[selbykux]

I do agree with the fact that her performance does not truly reflect the naïveté of a child's vision of heaven, but I have to say that her tender tone especially in the last verse of this movement is soooo there. Gave me goosebumps!

[eyesk8er]

She is very good. However, Judith Raskin, Georg Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra are still the standard by which all others should be measured. As I see it, even with the improved sonics, it's still not as good. Raskin & Szell performed magic....not another Mahler 4th like it.

[breechesman]

I was there at the concert ... and I have to admit I more liked the performance years earlier with this most eminent singer Roberta Alexander. A warmer and girlier voice.

[Rushcello]

5:03 to the end is just great =´ )

[saturne46]

Oh, que c'est beau ! Christine Schäfer est solaire, l'orchestre est divin. Bravo et mille mercis.

[jdabgotra]

This is a depiction of Heaven, but still, it has some conflict with the intervening discordant outbursts, but resolves in a transcendence that truly approaches disembodiment -- "Heaven's music is not of the Earth" she sings

[josefedward]

Christine Schäfer ist das Beste für mich

[Fladabosco]

I can understand someone wanting her to sound more child like - less operatic - but her singing is gorgeous.

[ibizaking]

I was present at this concert, it was Haitinks 50th aneversery with the KCO 7th november 2007

He made at least 3 recordings of this symph. with RCO alone. (that is, I have these 3 ;))

RCO and Haitink live Friday night 19th March at 20.15 CET on Mezzo with Brahms Violinconcerto (Frank Peter Zimmermann) and Sjostakovich15 live from the Concertgebouw, still 11 tickets available ;)

[antoniosergiocunha]

Superb playing from RCO. The singer is not the best I have heard in this last movement. I love Lucia Popp singing it with the Cologne Orchestra, under Gary Bertini.

[ssballs]

Being used to the old Philips and DGG-lp's Abbado/v.Stade versions this is a breath of fresh air.Since it's the first time i hear Schafer,i can't react to dum dum's comment about her "repeat"performance.If it is,1.20 and so forth,it sounds like" letting go"to me.Intonation is never bad,unless it's affected.This is,like the orchestre's playing, just plain marvelous!

[dumdumdumduuuum]

Schafer sings everything in the same way... She always seems so concerned about intonation. She never "lets go" in the music.

[GregFox100]

@dumdumdumduuuum quite rightly so; that's the best way to sing.

@sbor2020 et al: Mahler said of the piece ''what started as a walk in the garden turned into a journey through a forest full of mystery and horror''. The ''child's vision of heaven'' thing is a red herring and totally dated. I can't believe I ever fell for it, but tonight at the Proms 2010, Gergiev and Tilling opened my eyes. Seems Schäfer is doing something along the same lines.

[billyguns2]

The Concergebouw has a special toucb with this symphony. Van Beinum and Solti made memorable recordings of it with this band, and now comes Haitink; I think the tempi are perfect and the playing is superb, among the best I've heard. The soloist here sounds too mature for the music; it is a child's vision of heaven.

[DEKhan]

what about bernstein?

[minirausch]

i can't wait for her sophie at the met next year! it's too bad we won't get her lulu.

wonderful performance.

[doktordrakator]

I have been looking for very long for a Mahler fourth with a satisfying fourth movement. This is definitely my favorite so far. Christine Schäfer is great...!

[quaquiri]

Hi, I'm very glad that you like. I was there at Concertgebouw for that concert and I'm a sincere Schaefer's fan. I listened to Christine Schafer on Mahler 4th also directed by Cristoph Eschenbach and probably I consider it even better than this one by Haitink. Glad to receive your impression, if you like. Regards. Massimiliano (quaquiri)

[TedMichaelMorgan]

@doktordrakator You probably are right, but I still love this performance. .

[coryisawake]

@doktordrakator Check out Heather Harper's if you haven't already.

Recorded later in her career, it's detailed, simple and simultaneously opulent.

[pagatwarrior]

Visit Bernstein and Mathis with Wiener Philharmoniker!

[sbor2020]

Great performance. I love Christine Schaefer, especially as Lulu, but in this she is too worldly and not really apt for a child's vision of heaven. Mahler requested an expression of innocence, without irony. I don't think this is innocence, but experience.

Edith Mathis (on yt)for Bernstein is the real deal!

[Willemklassiek]

You sound like a big fan. I thought you might like to know and propably already know that gramophone voted the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as the worlds greatest orchestra.

Also, this christmas, on the 25th, there will be a live internet broadcast of them, done by MonteVerdi. Check out:

M O N T E V E R D I . T V / R C O

for some exclusive content and info.

Kind regards,

Willem

[colind911]

Mathis is my favorite edition!

[kiterunner007]

@colind911: I agree! Mathis definitely captures the innocence of the piece. She's so fun to watch

[arifink]

@sbor2020 don't think that is has to be always like this, for me her performance is very refreshing and takes away all the kitsch from this piece of mahler!

[edgluhrs]

@sbor2020 She's good, but I agree with your observations. The three Mahler 4th finale singers I like best so far are Kathleen Battle (Maazel), Max Emanuel Cencic (Nanut), and Klara Ek (Ashkenazy... a live performance video currently on YouTube).

[MarcusHK1]

@sbor2020 I think she has improved in her later version with Christoph Eschenbach and the Orchestre de Paris (also available on YT).

[sbor2020]

@MarcusHK1 ........ I agree. After listening to a radio broadcast of Schaefer with the BPO & Simon Rattle, I should say that her performance was sublime! With the slightest inflections which was totally right for singing about slaughtering animals. Ms Schaefer is truly a wonderful singer!!

[quaquiri]

Thank you very much for posting this video Vikifanclub. I was there. I have been at the Concertgebouw for this concert and I consider me very lucky to have experienced this event !

[pandabear11111]

PollyX5: No, try playing an instrument.

[PollyX5]

must one have a funny look on their heads in order to play in this orchestra?

[rsimons83]

This is one of the best recordings of the M4 that I've ever heard. Get the CD on the RCO Live label!

[olga2809]

Wonderful! I have this symphony with Haitink on cd (very old recording), but I prefer this one.

[monfra]

Yes, probably the best 4th ever (published on cd on RCO Live).

vikifanclub, may I ask you if you have the kindness to put the first and third movments ? Thanks very very much ;-)

[parkthoven]

Impressive performance~~