Search - Mahler, Kletzki, Vpo :: Das Lied Von Der Erde

The Das Lied to start with.

ken yong | Kuala Lumpur | 03/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For listeners curious of Das Lied Von Der Erde, this version is a must grab. For one reason, just consider Dietrich Fischer-Deskau and the price tag (I bought this recording at six dollars). That is good enough a purchase, and if you needed a pick among mainstream recordings of contralto versions of Das Lied, just pick Klemperer or Walter versions. I am thankful I made this my first Das Lied Von Der Erde because other versions from Bernstein and Klemperer didn't quite impressed me very much (I admit though, Klemperer's recording gets better by frequent listenings and by incomparable soloists, Wunderlich and Ludwig). The sound quality is crisp, considering a miracle it was recorded in 1960s and the remastering made it sound like an average DDD recording at the very least. Fischer-Deskau appeals me 10 times more than Lenny's version because as the other reviewer mentioned, he sounds routine there. Kletzki captures the frantic galloping of horses much more effectively in "Von der Schönheit" than of Bernstein, where Lenny drives the tempo too fast for Fischer-Deskau to frantically catch up. In closing bars of "Das Abshied", Bernstein did not capture the yearning of Christa Ludwig in Klemperer's recording, or the Zen-like repose by Alfreda Hodgson in the legendary Horenstein's recording. Kletzki, in my opinion, combines both Klemperer and Horenstein's approach to great effect, and I wouldn't exaggerate when I say this is the perfect "Das Abshied". As for Murray Dickie, even thought he is just average in "Das Trinklied", he fares decently in later movements. I think Dickie's "Der trunkene im fruhling" is very fine where as a drunkard, he sounds like a playful, cheeky child.The only minus point about this recording is the absence of the lyrics. You can substitute that by buying other recordings as mentioned before."

Nothing but Great!

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 12/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The alternate take of Das Lied von der Erde, which uses a baritone instead of a mezzo (together with the usual tenor), has few recorded incarnations. This CD, however, contains one of the classic though underrated accounts: Paul Kletzki is conducting the Philharmonia, and Murray Dickie (tenor) and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) are soloists.



At face value, and with recording history in mind, one could have expected that this recording would be no match for the later very famous Bernstein version, with Vienna PO, having Fischer-Dieskau and King as soloists.



But in my view, for this work, Kletzki is a far better Mahler interpreter than Bernstein - he is simply more frantic and straightforward, less sentimental. And this makes a great deal when comparing these discs: where Bernstein lets his passion interrupt the flow of the music, so that we hear more of Bernstein than of Mahler, Kletzki makes the Philharmonia play as if it were the last day of the world - as I suppose Mahler would have done it.



Regarding the soloists on the Kletzki take: Dickie makes a good job, even if he's not a Heldentenor like King. And Fischer-Dieskau is singing with a sense of discovery. On the Bernstein take, by contrast, he sings on routine.



Moreover, the recording quality fits at least my ear pretty well. But the upper register is a bit harsh.



At bargain price, hence, this CD is a must for Mahler collectors."

A musical treasure!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 06/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Paul Kletski has been one of the great Mahlerian conductors ever existed. His personal vision, nourished by a sidereal lyricism, transcends by far, the musical score to get into a new universe where he recreates and expresses with ferrous conviction, the whole significance of this emblematic Op.



Dietrich Fisher Diskau, as always makes a towering 'performance with his accustomed eloquence, powerful vibrato and incisive expressiveness.



Both of them, joined talents with the exceptional Philharmonia Orchestra, (by far, my favorite English Orchestra in the fifties and sixties) to give us one of the most legendary versions of this fundamental work of the Austrian composer.

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