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Gustav Mahler: Orchestral Songs

Philips

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1. No 1, Das Trinkleid von Jammer der Erde
2. No 2, Der Einsame im Herbst
3. No 3, Von der Jugend
4. No 4, Von der Schönheit
5. No 5, Der Trunkene im Frühling
6. No 6, Der Abschied
7. Nun will die Sonn'so hell aufgehn
8. Nun seh' ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flamme
9. Wenn dein Mütterlein
10. No 1, Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht
11. No 2, Ging heut morgen übers Feld
12. No 3, Ich hab' ein glühend Messer
13. No 4, Die zwei blauen augen von meinem Schatz
14. Der schildwache Nachtlied
15. Verlorne Müh'
16. Trost im Unglück
17. Wer hat dies Liedlein erdacht?
18. Das irdische Leben
19. Revelge
20. Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt
21. Rheinlegendchen
22. Lied des Verfolgten im Turm
23. Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen
24. Lob des hohen Verstands
25. Der Tambourg'sell

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Mahler Orchestral Songs-Hermann Prey

Having learned some of these cycles with the help of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau recordings,I thought I'd like to hear another interpretation by Herr Prey after reading his memories in First Night Fever. His interpretn is much different than DFD's but very likeable. I've also heard Thomas Hampson's and I still think Dieter isthe most superb.

No Words/Translations Included in Mine

A major tip on this set - it does not have the printed words and translations included. Major dissapointment. Unless you have a book, like Deryck Cooke's (which I have fortunately), with the words in it, you are out of luck. First time listeners beware.

Also, I am not fond of Janet Baker's voice, and have never understood the hype over her. She always sounds like she has cotton in her mouth.

A better alternative for Das Lied Von Der Erde, with words included and beautifully recorded sound is Eiji Oue with the Minnesota Orchestra. Michelle DeYoung's voice is beautiful and clear too. Check it out - worth the extra money: Das Lied von der Erde.

Excellently Economical Collection, including the Deutche Kitch

I bought this omnibus of Mahler's 'Das Lied von Der Erde', 'Kindertotenlieder', 'Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen', and 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn' AFTER I bought the Phillips 432 279-2 of just 'Das Lied von Der Erde', which is the identical performance as the one on the less expensive and fuller two CD set. This 'Das Lied...' is every bit as good as when I reviewed alone, and it is by far the most interesting collection on the two CDs. I was never a big fan of 'Kindertotenlieder', given its subject, but I love listening to 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn' as it is by far the most gloriously simple borrowing of traditional German popular folk music of the 19th century into a classical interpretation. one can literally hear the oompah bands doing the works from which this was adapted. I love it to pieces.

A grab bag of good and not so good

For a long time British critics have hailed Haitink's Das Lied, even though James King blares through the tenor part without regard for the words and the marvelous Janet Baker was caught about seven years past her prime. As for the Kindertotenlieder, Prey's version is touching and sensitive without being lugubrious. It's appealing to hear this cycle, which is for male voice, done so well by a baritone despite the fact that so many of the classic recordings (Ferrier, Ludwig, and Baker in particular)have been by women. If only Thomas Quasthoff would now record it.

The major disappointment here is the Knaben Wunderhorn cycle with Norman and Shirley-Quirk. She is in glorious voice but sounds too staid and self-involved, while he has no proper German style--one keeps thinking that an English gentleman is trying not very hard to impersonate the brash, tragic, strutting soldiers that are the chief characters in the male songs. Overall, even at a bargain price I would look elsewhere for all these pieces. In particular, try the live Das Lied under Kubelik on the Audite label, which features Baker in much better voice seven years earlier.

The Four Mahler Song Cycles in One Generous and Fine Album

Any time there is a chance to hear the favored orchestra for Mahler - the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam - involved in performances of any of Mahler's four song cycles, it is a reason for rejoicing. Somehow the sound of this orchestra and Mahler were meant to be one. Add to this bit of good fortune the fine conducting of Bernard Haitink and a group of first class soloists and Voila! - an album of 2 CDs, modestly priced, and a must for every collector of Mahler's music.

'Das Lied von der Erde', that would-be 9th symphony of the paranoid superstitious Mahler, is one of his most powerful symphony of songs. Here it is given a warm and introspective performance by Dame Janet Baker (just try to find a more poignant 'Der Abschied') and James King in his prime. This is followed by a soulful 'Kindertotenlieder' this time rendered by a male voice - Hermann Prey - giving these five melancholic songs a special Mahlerian significance, paying homage to the Mahler's inspiration for composing them. Prey then segues into the youthful 'Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen': again one song in particular is glowingly memorable with Prey's interpretation - 'Die zwei blauen augen von meinem Schatz'.

'Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn' served Mahler well in providing melodies and songs for his first four symphonies and hearing the cycle sung with the grace and fun and dignity by Jessye Norman and John Shirley-Quirk plumbs the depths of Mahler's ongoing inspiration. Haitink offers the support and orchestral playing that fits these soloists like a glove. In all, these are fine performances of these cycles, the binding thread being the same orchestra and conductor. Yes, we all have our favorite recordings of each of these works, but on the whole this album is difficult to match. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 05