Eliahu Inbal, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (2013) [SACD]

A phenomenal new Mahler Fourth from Tokyo, not surprisingly. What a revelatory performance! Eliahu Inbal and his Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony deliver Mahler's most relaxed and supposedly 'happy' symphony like no other team. Inbal is in a swift mood, faster than he was in his earlier outing with FRSO (Denon), but nothing is glossed over. In fact, he uses the fast speeds to reveal many subtle details even more tellingly than before; the strings are constantly encouraged to execute portamento literally without hesitations, with all the big hearts and delicious touches. He also applies flexible tempi throughout letting the instruments find room to be expressive, colorful, and idiomatic. In this regard, I was reminded of Mengelberg, Bernstein, and Tennstedt. In the Finale, the soprano Maki Mori displays a deep understanding and sympathy with her part although her vibrato in the mid range might be distracting to some. The final notes, appropriately slowed down from the main tempo, fade away as touchingly as I can imagine they could. The well disciplined Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra is in its best form radiating its characteristically glowing and galvanized tone. Heard blindly, you would guess it’s Vienna Philharmonic or Bavarian Radio Orchestra that you are listening to. The Exton sonics, as usual, are gorgeously detailed. I rather suspect I will return to Inbal’s recording most often when I feel for dreaming angels and heavens. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest modern recordings of Mahler Fourth. ~Poincare


Tracks:

01. Bedachtig, Nicht Eilen 15:59
02. In Gemachlicher Bewegung-ohne Hast 9:25
03. Ruhevoll 18:38
04. Sehr Behaglich 9:04

Personnel:

Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
Eliahu Inbal
Maki Mori soprano