Well isn't this a pleasant surprise? We've been bombarded lately with second-rate Das Lieds, from dreary recent recordings by Salonen, Boulez, Levine, and Maazel, to reissues of overrated, indifferently played, sung, and/or conducted historical "legends" such as Walter/Ferrier and Horenstein. Here's a performance that offers good sound, gorgeous playing, and a real treat in the form of Eugen Jochum's intelligent, spontaneous podium guidance. Just listen to the incisive way he attacks the very opening, or the marvelous eruption at the center of "Of Beauty". Then there's the exquisite playing of the solo winds in "Der Einsame im Herbst" and "Das Abschied"--and in places too numerous to mention. True, it's not all perfect. Nan Merriman's voice has a quick vibrato that some may find off-putting, but how much better than Ferrier does she use the words themselves to underline the music's meaning! Nor does the orchestra have that wonderful tam-tam sound in the last song that gives Haitink's later version so much color and atmosphere. Still, it's so rewarding to hear a recording that keeps the music flowing, hits all the climaxes (loud or quiet), and basically revels in the fine musicianship of two experienced soloists and a great orchestra in fine form. More to the point, some of today's star conductors could learn a thing or two from Jochum who, though by no means a Mahler specialist, still gets more out of the piece than many who claim to be just that. (by David Hurwitz)
Personnel:
Ernst Haefliger (tenor)
Nan Merriman (mezzo-soprano)
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Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam conducted by Eugen Jochum
Ernst Haefliger (tenor)
Nan Merriman (mezzo-soprano)
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Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam conducted by Eugen Jochum
Alternate frontcover
Tracklist:
01. Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 8.51
02. Der Einsame im Herbst (Mahler/Qian Qi/Bethge) 8.50
03. Von der Jugend (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 3.11
04. Von der Schönheit (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 6.29
05. Der Trunkene im Frühling (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 4.29
06. Der Abschied (Mahler/Mong-Kao-Yen/Wang-Wei/Bethge) 26.54
ARMU 2034
ARMU 2034 (zippyshare)
01. Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 8.51
02. Der Einsame im Herbst (Mahler/Qian Qi/Bethge) 8.50
03. Von der Jugend (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 3.11
04. Von der Schönheit (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 6.29
05. Der Trunkene im Frühling (Mahler/Li-Tai-Po/Bethge) 4.29
06. Der Abschied (Mahler/Mong-Kao-Yen/Wang-Wei/Bethge) 26.54
ARMU 2034 (zippyshare)