When the Bamberg Symphony and their principal conductor Jakub Hrůša went on tour in Germany with Mahler’s Fourth Symphony in January 2020, no one would have thought that this symphony in particular would become a kind of “symphony of fate” of the year, for only two months later, the performance of major symphonic works was impossible for a long time after the “corona lockdown” in Germany, which hit cultural institutions particularly hard.
The Bamberg Symphony were involved at an early stage in investigating the effects of making music together on the spread of the virus and helped to develop concepts for safe concert performances. This enabled their renowned Mahler Competition to take place in early July 2020, with Mahler’s Fourth Symphony at its center. Even though it is the smallest Mahler symphony, these were the first symphonic performances after months, which then led to one of the first symphonic CD recordings in times of the pandemic – seated apart, but musically closer than ever.
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 4 in G major
Bamberger Symphoniker
Jakub Hrůša, conductor
Anna Lucia Richter, mezzo-soprano
Recorded at Konzerthalle Bamberg, Joseph-Keilberth-Saal July 2020
Jahrespreis 2021 / Award of the Year 2021
Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik / German Record Critics’ Award
“Das Datum dieser feinen Einspielung, die alle Erwartungen übertrifft: Juli 2020. Der erste Corona-Lockdown war vorbei, in Bamberg kamen die Symphoniker zusammen, um sich – durchaus auch als therapeutische Maßnahme zur Wiederherstellung der Orchestermoral – unter ihrem charismatischen Chef Jakub Hrůša dieser wohl beliebtesten der Mahler-Symphonien zur widmen. Die Bamberger sind aufgrund ihrer ex-böhmischen Spieltradition ein sehr besonderes Mahler-Orchester, Hrůša ist Tscheche. Man erlebt hochintelligentes, könnerisch gewitztes Musizieren aus einem Guss. Da wird sofort reagiert, instrumental Optimales variantenreich angeboten. Hrůša formt und schwelgt, hört aber zugleich das Doppelbödige hinter der Schönheit und Innigkeit heraus, wagt auch das Sarkastische, Zartgrelle. Mit ihrer mädchenhaften, wissend hintergründigen Sopranstimme fügt sich Anna Lucia Richter herrlich in den vierten Satz. Wahrlich, himmlische Freuden, auch wenn draußen nicht der Metzger Herodes, nur ein gewisses Virus wartet.” Für den Jahresausschuss: Manuel Brug
“The date of this fine recording, which exceeds all expectations: July 2020. The first Corona lockdown was over and in Bamberg, the members of the Symphony came together to dedicate themselves – quite possibly also as a therapeutic measure to restore orchestral morale – to this most popular Mahler symphony under the direction of their charismatic leader Jakub Hrůša. The Bambergers are a very special Mahler orchestra due to their Bohemian playing tradition and Hrůša being Czech. One experiences highly intelligent, skillfully shrewd music-making from a single mold. Everybody reacts immediately and offers perfect instrumental variations. Hrůša forms and indulges, but at the same time listens to the ambiguity behind the beauty and intimacy and dares to be sarcastic or tender. With her girlish, knowingly enigmatic soprano voice, Anna Lucia Richter is a wonderful fit for the fourth movement. Truly heavenly joys, even if something is constantly lurking on the outside – not the butcher Herod but a certain virus.” For the annual awards committee: Manuel Brug
