Richard Strauss was so in awe of Mahler's Fourth Symphony - especially the passage towards the end of the radiant slow movement when the gates of Heaven open in a resplendent E major - that in homage he sent him a huge parcel containing his complete published works. Mahler broke with all convention by ending this most heart-warming of all his symphonies with a song of childlike innocence in praise of heavenly life. That same tantilising simplicity informs the magical slow movement of Mozart's K467 Piano Concerto and Britten's early Quatre chansons françaises, composed shortly before his fifteenth birthday.
More concerts with Vladimir Ashkenazy:
Ashkenazy conducts in London
May 24 2012, 19:30 - Royal Festival Hall
Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Shostakovich's Babi Yar Symphony, an epic piece of powerful criticism. Also performed is Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, performed by Nobuyuki Tsujii
Ashkenazy conducts in London
Feb 21 2013, 19:30 - Royal Festival Hall
Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Britten's Death in Venice Suite, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 15 and Sol Gabetta joins to perfom Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 2








