Gustav Mahler and the Munich Philharmonic share a very special connectin. The world premiere of his Symphony No. 4 took place under his baton on 25 November 1901 in Munich’s »Großen Kaim-Saal« with the then called »Kaim-Orchester«, present day Munich Philharmonic.
His works have been a substantial part of the Munich Philharmonic’s core repertoire ever since and the orchestra has excelled on many occasions. I have no doubts, however, that the performance of any Mahler symphony was strictly banned during 1935-1945 fir the solel reason that baby Gustav was born into a Jewish home.
Many years ago, I visited the area in Austria where this music was composed. I even experienced the cow bells that Mahler included in this music…
The live concert recording released on this album took place at the Philharmonie im Gasteig in Munich, the orchestra’s home, with Salzburg soprano Genia Kuehmeier.
Another critically acclaimed performance took place in New York’s Carnegie Hall, and the New York Times wrote:
»Mahler’s 4th Symphony was the real payoff, with exceptional playing from the strings and with the song of the finale gorgeously sung by Genia Kuehmeier«
Here is Valery Gergiev directing the 4th movement from the Symphony number 4by Gustav Mahler:
