BaL 19.06.21 - Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 Building a Library

Flora Willson chooses her favourite recording of Mahler’s orchestral song-cycle Das Lied von der Erde.

Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, ‘Song of the Earth’, is a set of six songs for two voices and orchestra, but is it a song cycle or a symphony? Mahler certainly intended for Das Lied von der Erde to reflect the world in containing everything, the whole range of human emotions and earthly experience, but the work doesn’t easily fall into either the category of song cycles or truly symphonic works. Mahler drew his texts for Das Lied from a compendium called The Chinese Flute, a translation of Chinese poems by the German poet Hans Bethge.

Mahler wrote Das Lied von der Erde in 1908-9 within a year of losing his beloved daughter Maria and receiving the diagnosis of the heart condition that would kill him in 1911. The work begins and ends with two of Mahler’s most famous songs: Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde (The Drinking Song of Earth’s Sorrows) and Der Abscheid (The Farewell), a hauntingly beautiful, bleak and heartrending farewell to life as the ‘sun sets behind the mountains.’ The intervening songs are the introspective ‘Der Einsame im Herbst’ (The Lonely One in Autumn) for mezzo-soprano, the sprightly ‘Von der Jugend’ (Of Youth) for tenor, ‘Von der Schönheit’ (Of Beauty) depicting an innocent scene by a river bank where girls are picking flowers but are then briefly threatened by the arrival of boys on horseback, and ‘Der Trunkene im Frühling’ (The Drunkard in Spring).

Available versions:-

Sibylla Rubens, Renée Morloc, Markus Schäfer, Markus Eiche, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Hansjorg Albrecht

Alice Coote, Burkhard Fritz, Netherlands Philharmonic, Marc Albrecht (SACD)

Dagmar Peckova, Richard Samek, Schoenberg Chamber Orchestra, Petr Altrichter

Lilli Paasikivi, Stuart Skelton, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy *

Kathleen Ferrier, Richard Lewis, Hallé Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli

Waltraud Meier, Siegfried Jerusalem, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim

Ernst Haefliger, Nan Merriman, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Eduard van Beinum

James King, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein

René Kollo, Christa Ludwig, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein

Elisabeth Hanke, Stig Andersen, Ruse Philharmonic Orchestra, Niels Borksand *

Violeta Urmana, Michael Schade, Wiener Philharmoniker, Pierre Boulez

Jane Irwin, Peter Wedd, Manchester Camerata, Douglas Boyd

Mary Ann McCormick, Jason Collins, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Dirk Brosse *

WDR Sinfonieorchester, Semyon Bychkov (DVD)

Violeta Urmana, Clifton Forbis, Orchestre National de Lille, Jean-Claude Casadesus

Jessye Norman, Jon Vickers, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis

Charles Reid, Susan Platts, Attacca Quartet, Virginia Arts Festival Chamber Players, JoAnn Falletta

Anna Larsson, Stuart Skelton, Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Ádám Fischer

Gerhild Romberger, Robert Dean Smith, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer (SACD)

Yvi Jänicke, Christian Elsner, Radio-Symphonieorchester Stuttgart, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau *

Scottish National Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson *

Cornelia Kallisch, Siegfried Jerusalem, Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg, Michael Gielen

Francisco Araiza, Brigitte Fassbaender, Berliner Philharmoniker, Carlo Maria Giulini

Jane Henschel, Gregory Kunde, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Hans Graf

James King, Dame Janet Baker, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink

Ruxandra Donose, Thomas Harper, Ireland National Symphony Orchestra, Michael Halasz

Birgit Remmert, Hans-Peter Blochwitz, Ensemble Musique Oblique, Philippe Herreweghe *

Paul Groves,, Thomas Hampson, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Neeme Järvi (DVD/Blu-ray)

Nan Merriman, Ernst Haefliger, Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Eugen Jochum

Kei Fukui, Kei Yonashiro, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, Norichika Iimori *

Iris Vermillion, Robert Gambill, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Eliahu Inbal *

Sarah Connolly, Robert Dean Smith,Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski (SACD)

Christa Ludwig, Ludowic Spiess, Horst R. Laubenthal, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan *

Christa Ludwig, René Kollo, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

Thomas Moser, Brigitte Fassbaender, Cyprien Katsaris (piano)

Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich, New Philharmonia & Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer

Endre Roesler, Judit Sandor, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Otto Klemperer *

Elsa Cavelti, Anton Dermota, Vienna Symphonic Orchestra, Otto Klemperer

Oralia Dominguez, Set Svanholm, Männerchor des Wiener Singvereins. Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Paul Kletzki

Murray Dickie, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Philharmonia Orchestra, Paul Kletzki *

Anna Reynolds, Jess Thomas, Wiener Symphoniker, Josef Krips

Fritz Wunderlich, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Wiener Symphoniker, Josef Krips *

Waldemar Kmentt, Janet Baker, Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Rafael Kubelik

Hilde Rössel-Majdan, Waldemar Kmentt; Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Rafael Kubelik

Robert Dean Smith, Ivan Paley, Stephan Matthias Lademann (piano)

Yves Saelens, Lucile Richardot, Het Collectief, Reinbert de Leeuw

Jessye Norman, Siegfried Jerusalem, Berliner Philharmoniker, James Levine

Markus Schäfer, Ivonne Fuchs, Linos Ensemble

Doris Soffel, Wolfgang Müller-Lorenz, Roman Trekel, MDR Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi

Anna Larsson, Robert Dean Smith, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Fabio Luisi (DVD/Blu-ray)

Waltraud Meier, Ben Heppner, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Lorin Maazel *

Christine Mayer, Richard Lewis, Teatro la Fenice Orchestra, Lorin Maazel *

Marga Hoffgen, Michel Senechal, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RAI, Lorin Maazel

Jennifer Johnson Cano, Paul Groves, St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, George Manahan *

Thomas Hampson, Peter Seiffert, Münchner Philharmoniker, Zubin Mehta *

Marvel Reijans, Willem de Vries, Gruppo Montebello

Klaus Florian Vogt, Christian Gerhaher, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano *

Glenys Linos, Zeger Vandersteene, Radio Symphony Orchestra Ljubljana, Anton Nanut *

Sarah Connolly, Toby Spence, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Roberto Saccà, Stephen Gadd, Bamberger Symphoniker, Jonathan Nott (SACD)

Jonas Kaufmann, Wiener Philharmoniker, Jonathan Nott

Michelle DeYoung, Jon Villars, Minnesota Orchestra, Eiji Oue

Margriet van Reisen, André Post, Oxalys

Gerhil Romberger, Stephan Rügamer, Detmolder Kammerorchester, Alfredo Perl (SACD)

Peter Seiffert, Thomas Hampson, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle *

Magdalena Kofiená, Stuart Skelton, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Simon Rattle

Richard Lewis, Maureen Forrester, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner *

Christa Ludwig, Richard Lewis, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner

Helmut Melchert., Grace Hoffmann, SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden, Hans Rosbaud

Plácido Domingo, Bo Skovhus, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen *

Birgit Finnila, Peter Schreier, Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester, Kurt Sanderling

Carolyn Watkinson, John Mitchinson, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Kurt Sanderling (DVD)

Kerstin Thorborg, Carl Martin Öhmann, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Carl Schuricht

Ning Liang, Warren Mok, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Lan Shui (SACD)

Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Sieghart *

Iris Vermillion, Keith Lewis, Staatskapelle Dresden, Giuseppe Sinopoli

John Elwes, Russell Braun, Smithsonian Chamber Players, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Kenneth Slowik

Yvonne Minton, René Kollo, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti

Thomas Moser, Marjana Lipovsek, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti

James McCracken, Hertha Töpper, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Sir Georg Solti

Andrew Staples, Marianne Beate Kielland, Musica Saeculorum, Philipp von Steinaecker *

Richard Cassilly, Lili Chookasian, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Walter Susskind *

Agnes Baltsa, Klaus König, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt

Stuart Skelton, Thomas Hampson, San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas (SACD)

Ellen Williams, Timothy W. Sparks, Duraleigh Chamber Players, Scott Tilley

Monica Groop, Jorma Silvasti, Sinfonia Lahti Chamber Orchestra, Osmo Vänskä

Eve-Maud Hubeaux, Jussi Myllys, Orchestre Victor Hugo Franche-Comté, Jean-François Verdier *

Hermine Haselböck, Bernhard Berchtold, Markus Vorzellner (piano)

Kathleen Ferrier, Set Svanholm, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruno Walter

Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Wiener Philharmoniker, Bruno Walter

Maureen Forrester, Richard Lewis, Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter

Mildred Miller, Ernst Haefliger, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter

Elena Nikolaidi, Set Svanholm, Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter

Kerstin Thorborg, Charles Kullman, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruno Walter

Brennen Guillory, Emma Curtis, Orchestra of the Swan, Kenneth Woods

Susan Graham, Christian Elsner, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, David Zinman *

(* = download only)

[Bryn]

How many of those are of the Schoenberg-Riehn chamber arrangement?

The Gielen is taken from two recordings made some years apart.

[Richard Barrett]

The Gielen is taken from two recordings made some years apart.

None the worse for that though I would say.

Although if I had to choose one, which thank heaven I don't, it would be Tennstedt.

[Bryn]

None the worse for that though I would say. . . .

Supplied as information, not negative criticism.

[Darloboy]

Past BaL choices include: Jan 83 (Richard Osborne) - Ludwig/Wunderlich/Klemperer with Ferrier/Patzak/Walter runner-up & King/Fischer-Dieskau/Bernstein runner-up with baritone; Feb 97 (Edward Seckerson) - King/Fischer-Dieskau/Bernstein + Ferrier/Patazak/Walter as contralto/tenor recommendation; Sept 09 (Stephen Johnson) - Hodgson/Mitchinson/Horenstein

[Bryn]

A great pity that the 1985 Jessye Norman, Jon Vickers, Simon Rattle Prom performance, while available on Youtube as separate movements, seems not to be found on DVD.

[Bert]

How many of those are of the Schoenberg-Riehn chamber arrangement?

Dunno. But while my very long-term favourite has been Monica Groop/Jorma Silvasti/Vanska on Bis, The Robert De Leeuw is a corker. He augments the Schoenberg arrangement with crucial elements from the full score to amazing effect - a real mind-opener. And the SQ is A+. My current goto. RIP maestro .....

[Bryn]

Dunno. But while my very long-term favourite has been Monica Groop/Jorma Silvasti/Vanska on Bis, The Robert De Leeuw is a corker. He augments the Schoenberg arrangement with crucial elements from the full score to amazing effect - a real mind-opener. And the SQ is A+. My current goto. RIP maestro .....

"Robert"? Ein obvious autocorrect, eh?

[Bert]

"Robert"? Ein obvious autocorrect, eh?

Yes, my autocorrect changed 'Robert' to 'Robert'.

Will go into settings later and switch it off.

All this aside, do try to take this recording in, it's superb ....

(I expect it will get diddly-squat consideration on the BaL broadcast, with the rec going to the (excellent) Jurowski)

[BBMmk2]

Looking forward to this one, by hook or by crook!!!

[Darloboy]

How many of those are of the Schoenberg-Riehn chamber arrangement?

The Herreweghe certainly is. It was Ed Seclerson's recommendation for this version back in 1997.

[Darloboy]

The Herreweghe certainly is. It was Ed Seclerson's recommendation for this version back in 1997.

Sorry Seckerson's. And that was by a hair's breadth over the Vänskä.

[gurnemanz]

First heard live at a 1978 Prom - Janet Baker, John Mitchinson, Andrew Davis. I shan't forget the spine-tingling effect of the first tenor entry, standing only few metres away.

Most recently seen as the brilliant Kenneth Macmillan ballet at ROH.

[vinteuil]

.

... to add to Alpie's list :

Keilberth -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000027TLY

Horenstein -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000042NZC

also Inbal with the Frankfurters and Schreier, van Nes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AXL0C8A

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00008Q03A

.

[richardfinegold]

.

... to add to Alpie's list :

Keilberth -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000027TLY

Horenstein -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000042NZC

also Inbal with the Frankfurters and Schreier, van Nes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AXL0C8A

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00008Q03A

.

For many years the Horenstein was my only recording. Ultimately I added the Haitink which is what I usually listen to. I’ve added many complete Mahler cycles and accumulated a few unlistenable to Das Lieds. Perhaps I should listen to the first Kubelik