The Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, featured on this recording, is one of Europe's most sought-after professional ensembles, performing 70-80 concerts annually.
Interpretation
The conductor believes that a predetermined starting tempo could be varied at will during a movement, citing a performing tradition from Wagner to Furtwängler.
Compositional Technique
Gustav Mahler's fourth movement is considered one of the most extraordinary and modern movements he composed, notable for its lack of a uniform tempo.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Gustav Mahler was far ahead of his time, as composers only began writing music without time signatures or tempo markings about fifty years after his death.
Performer Biography
Alexandra Petersamer, a performer on this album, won first prizes in singing competitions in 1992, including the Bundeswettbewerb Gesang and the International Pfitzner Competition.
Interpretation
The conductor, in this recording, consciously varied the peaceful general tempo of the second movement to give certain passages a measure of unrest.
Interpretation
The conductor believes that the two great climaxes in the third movement should appear as intense 'discharges' that recall the first movement.
