Search - Bruno Walter, Emilia Cundari, Maureen Forrester :: Mahler: Symphonies No. 1 & No. 2; Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen

"I know no-one who understands me so well."

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 12/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's good to read so many favourable reviews of this 2 CD set. Bruno Walter's association with Mahler was perhaps as close as any conductor ever had with a composer. To the young Bruno Walter in 1907, Mahler wrote, "I know no-one who understands me so well". These recordings, made in the last years of Bruno Walter's life immortalise this special understanding. Inspiration is evident everywhere. By all accounts, the freelance musicians involved felt compelled to give these recording sessions top priority. The technicians ensured that the best recording techniques were used. Subsequent transfer and restoration processes have improved things still further. Gone are the deep rumble and the high hiss that were all too audible before the pianissimo entrance of the choir in the last movement of the Second Symphony. A reviewer writes of the failure to observe repeat in the First Symphony. Bruno Walter disliked repeats and, so far as I know, never observed them in any of his recordings.In his 1947 autobiography, Bruno Walter wrote, "As long as I can lift a baton, I shall continue to conduct the works of Mahler and Bruckner. I consider it one of my life's tasks to uncover the sources of exultation flowing from their music."There is plenty of exultation uncovered in these great performances."

One of the best recordings of Mahler's 2nd

pm444 | Okemos, MI USA | 01/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bruno Walter first met Mahler in 1894 when Walter was 17 years old, and later began a professional relationship that allowed him to observe Mahler's performance practices first-hand. He remained a champion of Mahler's works throughout his long career as a conductor. This set includes a recording of Mahler's 2nd Symphony that I consider to be one of the essential recordings of this work (along with Klemperer's on EMI, Bernstein's with the NY Philharmonic on Sony, and Mehta's on Decca). What struck me most about Walter's recording was the way he handled the finale of the 2nd Symphony, surely among the most beautiful and stirring music ever composed. The sheer power of the music is reminiscent of the finale of Beethoven's 9th, with the same tendency for everything to blend together in one overpowering fortissimo even in the best recordings or live performances. But with Walter, you hear the soloists' voices, the orchestra, and the organ with equal clarity. In every other recording I have heard, the soloists can scarcely be heard above the orchestra and the organ is reduced to a vague sort of thumping sound. To hear these elements in greater balance, without losing any of the intensity of the finale, is revelatory and makes the recording indispensible. Though it dates from the late 1950's, the stereo sound is quite good, and tape hiss, while audible in the quiet passages, does not detract from the beauty of the music. The 1st Symphony is conducted in a lyrical and affectionate way, though by no means without passion, as some have said. This set is essential listening for anyone who loves this music!"

I grew up with these recordings - absolutely great!

Craig Matteson | Ann Arbor, MI | 07/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are two historically great recordings of favorite Mahler symphonies. A lot is made of Walter's relationship with Mahler and I suppose that this is important, but if he had known Mahler and come up with mediocre interpretations who would care?The point is that you can find several (almost too many) quite fine to great recordings of these two symphonies. It is good to take time to hear a wide range of interpretations. However, I believe that though you will find some with better recorded sound, you won't find any better interpreations than these (feel free to disagree with me). The whole range of emotion from the tender, to the melancholy, to great power and even the destruction of the whole world, well, they are all here. Walter doesn't lose any of the poetry or narrative for the sake of flash nor does he lack for almost frightening intensity and drama.I have to admit that I suffer from youthful bias, I was imprinted with these recordings as a teenager and that may shade my judgement, but I don't think that is the complete reason I revere these recordings so much.."