Mahler is classified as a late Romantic composer, producing dramatic scores with large differences in sounds and tone and utilizing many emotions ranging from tragedy and humour to love.
Mahler's fourth symphony was first performed in Munich in 1901 and was/is one of Mahler's most popular works. It is described that this symphony was created during an 1899 holiday to the countryside where he would find peace and quiet. However for unknown reasons the tranquility he wanted wasn't present and he feared that the concentration he needed to compose may have left him. It wasn't until he had 10 days left of the trip that inspiration finally grasped him and out of this anxious period came one of Mahler's more happier pieces. Other priorities initially overtook him and it wasn't until his next excursion that he was able to complete it.
Mahler himself thought of this work as transparent, relatively brief, and non-aggressive. Comprising of 4 movements, it is fairly short compared to his other symphony's and certainly more upbeat, using only a small section of the orchestra compared to his other works. The first movement would almost look like a pyramid if drawn. The start and end are very gradually built up/down (the same melody used at the start and finish) with the climax of the piece about 10mins in with bells and horns making an appearance.
The second movement relies far too much on strings for my liking and lacks the distinctiveness of the 1st movement. The 3rd draws a more subtle manner which makes you believe it is the same as the 2nd at first, but then provides differences to illustrate its superiority; it also leads magnificently onto the 4th and final movement which has the addition of a soprano voice. It is at the beginning fast-paced before tailing off into to calm and hopefully leaving you in that state.
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Like so many classical scores these days it can be found very cheaply. In fact I have recently noticed many reductions in prices of classical labels, including HMV's own (down from £4.99 to £2.99 for some very popular classics) and 5 CD's for £20 on the Naxos label. I would consider the first and last movement of Mahler's symphony no.4 to be the most worthwhile, while the middle two utilize parts of both the others, but lack the distinctiveness remaining. Compared to the other Mahler score I have reviewed I personally would place it above that in terms of quality and originality, but there are plenty of places online and offline to sample his work so judge for yourself.
Movement titles:
Symphony No.4 In G: I. Heiter, Bedachtig. Nicht Eilen Symphony No.4 In G: II. In Gemachlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast Symphony No.4 In G: III. Ruhevoll Symphony No.4 In G: IV. Sehr Behaglich
Pictures of Mahler: Symphony No 4
Mahler
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Well done on this review...i like classical music too; my favorite composer is JoHann Pachabel, who im sure you are familiar with. Chris xxx
thingywhatsit 01.04.2005 20:13
never been too keen on Mahler. Not sure what it is, but I find it too heavy going.
berlioz 29.03.2005 09:36
A nice review that. BTW, did you know that the finale was actually supposed to be the finale of the Third Symphony but was struck out by Mahler after the crowning sixth movement Adagio. Therefore he took that Finale and worked his way through the three first movements of his Fourth to culminate on that pre-existing finale. It's really fun to hear the Third continuously building it's way towards that grand culmination that never comes until the next symphony... Berli.
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