Bernstein conducts Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (1972)

As part of his audio-visual Mahler symphony cycle filmed in the 1970 and early 1980s – with all but the “Resurrection” Symphony performed with the Wiener Philharmoniker – Leonard Bernstein turns to the intimate and personal Fourth, often described as classicist, due to its modest performing orchestral forces, relatively short running time and standard four movement layout. Bernstein occasionally cast the soprano solo of the finale, with its childlike vision of the “heavenly life”, with a boy soprano, but here it is sung with moving clarity and purity by Swiss soprano Edith Mathis.

Soloist: 

Edith Mathis (Soprano)

Ensemble: 

Wiener Philharmoniker

Conductor: 

Leonard Bernstein