http://www.musicweb.uk.net, 01. March 1999
Haenchen's Mahler recordings with the Netherlands Philharmonic appear on a number of European bargain labels and have their admirers. The Fourth benefits from a big acoustic that allows lower woodwinds especially to tell. Haenchen's view is lyrical and full of feeling with the strings especially memorable adding distinctive slides that are very idiomatic. The first movement is deceptively quick, but such is the attention to detail it never seems so. The second movement is impish and shadowy at turns, which is a nice combination that leads to a rich and warm slow movement superbly played and then followed by Alexandra Coku as a pert and attractive soloist with excellent support from Haenchen. This is a really enjoyable Fourth with much in it to admire.