Her account of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 on March 21 at Orchestra Hall not only separated her from other ascendant women conductors I’ve witnessed, but much more to the point placed her unequivocally among today’s most important conductors altogether.
“…Mälkki and Höskuldsson ensured that Liebermann’s new concerto would receive beautifully executed first performances… There is a marvelous development of tension, executed beautifully by both Mälkki and Höskuldsson. Flute and harp together have some touching moments before the closing cadenza for flute was tossed off with virtuosic flair.
[…]
The concert opened with the Prelude to Act I of “Lohengrin.” Mälkki was brilliant with the dynamics, both opening and closing with a quiet, radiant shimmer. Between these points, the Finnish conductor built deftly until reaching a dramatic climax and then patiently drew down the orchestral forces until they reached the moving and beautiful conclusion.
After the intermission, Mälkki and the CSO took on Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G Major. The first movement was given ample energy, had excellent pacing, and a vibrancy of sound.”
“Led by the Finnish guest conductor Susanna Mälkki, who moves with the grace and clarity of a dancer, the program opened with Richard Wagner’s beautiful prelude to Act 1 of his opera “Lohengrin.”
[…]
And finally, on to Mahler’s symphony, a sonic feast with its theatricality, gorgeous (and familiar) melodies, celebratory blasts of sound, many mood shifts and the use of everything from sleigh bells and a glockenspiel to cymbals and harp… The overall magic of the work was held in the air until Mälkki lowered her baton and the audience erupted in a whirlwind of applause.”
“While Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki has stood in front of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on several occasions, her latest appearance was both the most programmatically substantial and the most musically impressive — convincing, actually. Her account of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 on March 21 at Orchestra Hall not only separated her from other ascendant women conductors I’ve witnessed, but much more to the point placed her unequivocally among today’s most important conductors altogether.”