Mahler: Symphony No. 4
Leonard Bernstein's earlier recording of this symphony for Sony was, and  remains, one of the best. This new one, however, really is something special. As  in his recording of the First with this orchestra, Bernstein's tempos have  markedly speeded up, especially in the slow movement. He seems to have really  discovered the secret of the music's essential innocence, and he now knows  exactly when to make a point and when to just let the music speak naturally. The  use of a boy soprano in the finale is unique but not unexpected. Mahler himself  thought about it but opted for an adult soprano because he believed that this  would prove less limiting to future performances of the work. He was right, of  course, but so is Bernstein for letting us hear the composer's original thoughts  in such a pure and enjoyable form.--David Hurwitz