Search - Gustav Mahler, Bernard Haitink, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra :: Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

Exquisite and unmatched!

Benjamin Seldon | Sydney, NSW Australia | 06/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mahler's 'Song of the Earth' was composed during the years of 1907- 08 after the death of his eldest daughter, Maria Anna. Mahler was soon diagnosed with a heart condition himself and the song symphony became the product, according to his wife, of all his fear and sorrow. The music is intensely cloured, deeply personal and, at times, exqisitely subdued.



Ths songs focus on a deep love of nature, the futility and beauty of life and, invariably, our mortality. The six songs of the work are shared between a tenor and a mezzo, and range in mood and energy from the intoxcation of a drunkard, the pleasures of youth, to the unparalleled and perhaps most perfectly scored single piece of music ever written, Der Abscheid, 'the farewell' - the requiem-esque finale to the song cycle.



While James King is strong and distict in his part, the recording belongs well and truly to Janet Baker. In this 'role' she is simply unmatched. Her phrasing and diction and the intesity of her emotional performance in the telling finale is truly remarkable. The pathos is incredibly intense, surpassing both the remarkable Kathleen Ferrier and Christa Ludwig who headline other significant recordings of the work.



I have often, listeding to this recording, considered my life complete. I am astounded at her artistry and listen ever increasing awe at what she has managed to accomplish.The 31 minutes of the finale is something to be heard again, and again, and again.



Even as I try to review this, I must admit, words begin to fail me. It is simply breathtaking. Breathtaking. Everywhere and eternally.."

Dame Janet Baker is over-praised

Chen, Chun-wei | Taiwan | 09/09/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This recording received high appraisal for Dame Janet Baker's performance. But it fidgeted me very much. Her pitch was not steady and she used too much vibrato. Listen to her vibrato with the flute then you will know how it was annoying. She like to sing pianissimo even lost the focus. I wondered if it is possible at live performance with large scale of orchestration. She mined the poem too over and changed color again and again with the meaning of each word. I like the sincerer performance such as the one given by Miss Kathleen Ferrier or Christa Ludwig."