“More Mahler followed — the limpid Fourth Symphony — in a reading full of felicitous detail. The composer marks his slow movement as “Ruhevoll” or “serene” and it was just that, with violas and cellos unfurling Mahler’s soulful lines over pizzicato from the basses that, on Sunday, seemed to ring out with uncommon warmth and nobility. In the closing movement, soprano Kristine Opolais, Nelsons’s wife, vividly delivered Mahler’s vision of the heavenly life — one full of food in abundance and fish swimming joyfully into Saint Peter’s waiting net. But the movement’s closing lines take us onto another plane, giving thanks for the unearthly joy of music itself. Nelsons, Opolais, and the orchestra performed this final passage with abundant care and a certain unaffected openness. The conductor then held the silence, lowering his hands very slowly. A seemingly transported Shed audience was content to wait with him, and then to make its own voice heard.”

Jeremy Eichler – Boston Globe

“On Sunday, soprano Kristine Opolais (Nelsons’ wife) sang the solo part in the final movement in Mahler’s symphony. One of the world’s best sopranos, Opolais has a gorgeous, melodic voice. And on Sunday, she delivered a beautiful, understated performance of Mahler’s melodic music.”

Ken Ross – MassLive

“Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G couldn’t be more different than his apocalyptic second symphony which opened the weekend (though both visit Heaven). By Mahler standards, as breezy as this Berkshire Sunday afternoon. Bells and birds flit throughout and the BSO’s reading was as impressive as that of its opening night. Nelsons conducts Mahler well. Instrumental solos dot this work and, again, individual playing was rich. Soprano Kristine Opolais headlined the final fourth movement with a velvety reading of “Das Himmlische Leben” (“Life in Heaven”), which anchors the symphony and from which, writing in reverse, the earlier movements were built.”

Mark McLaren – ZealNYC

Image: Hillary Scott / BSO