This second release from Lorin Maazel’s 2011 Mahler cycle in the Royal Festival Hall brings a comparably fine response from the Philharmonia, plus this veteran conductor’s acute concern for articulation, as in the first three Symphonies (reviewed here last April). But the drawbacks are more evident: notably, Maazel’s preference for deliberate tempos – it would be hard to imagine a less joyous reading of the finale of the Fifth than the plodding account here – and his addiction to unwritten rallentandos in more romantic passages.Disc 101. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 4 in G Major I. Bed?chtig, nicht eilen02. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 4 in G Major II. In gem?chlicher Bewegung, ohne Hast03. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 4 in G Major III. Ruhevoll, poco adagio04. Sarah Fox – Symphony No. 4 in G Major IV. Sehr behaglichDisc 201. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor I. Trauermarsch. In gemessenem Schritt. Str02. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor II. Stürmisch bewegt, mit gr?sster Vehemenz03. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor III. Scherzo. Kr?ftig, nicht zu schnell04. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor IV. Adagietto. Sehr langsam05. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor V. Rondo-Finale. Allegro – Allegro giocoso.Disc 301. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 6 in A Minor I. Allegro energico, ma non troppo02. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 6 in A Minor II. Scherzo. Wuchtig03. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 6 in A Minor III. Andante04. Philharmonia Orchestra – Symphony No. 6 in A Minor IV. Finale. Allegro moderato – Allegro energico13222990066/104.28.159.215
