GUSTAV MAHLER (1860-1911)

Das Lied von der Erde The Song of the Earth Janet Baker mezzo-soprano James King tenor Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink Philips Silver Line Classics 432 279-2; Philips Duo 462 299-2 (middle); Philips Duo 454 014-2 (front) [65:04 for Das Lied] mid-price; budget (Duo)

Includes libretto in German with translations.

by Michael Anthonio

This recording formed my first introduction to Mahler's great Das Lied von der Erde (Das Lied), and it was this particular performance that made me fall in love with the work. Therefore, it is quite hard to be really objective in my attempt to review it. Moreover, in recent Gramophone magazines, this recording (and strangely, this particular CD) was chosen as the best recommended recording for Das Lied.

There is one name that shines really bright in this recording: (Dame) Janet Baker (right). I believe she is one of the few great mezzo-sopranos who've ever recorded Das Lied, if not the greatest. On record, she has made two recordings; one is this, and the other one with Raymond Leppard. Her performance on the latter has been said to be better; unfortunately I've never come across it, and therefore I can't give my comment on that. However, her performance on this recording is sufficient enough to convince me that she is one of the greatest.

Her interpretations of the second, fourth, and sixth songs are so expressively varied that they are almost contrasting each other. In the second movement, "Der Einsame im Herbst" ("The lonely one in Autumn"), she starts the song with a restrained half-tone, carefully describing the cold autumn (or was it winter already?). It is so beautiful and highly imaginative. Gradually, her voice becomes bigger and bigger as the song continues. Her description of the lonely person with a fading little lamp is also wonderful. She expressively "draws" that person like a painter or a sculptor.

By the time the fourth song begins, she is a completely different person. Gone is all the sadness and loneliness. Clearly she describes the young girls picking flowers. However, it is the next description that is truly amazing. The stormy middle section of this part is about young boys riding horses, with the orchestra imitating the horses' actions. This movement, along with the last, is in my opinion the crowning glory of this recording. She is not simply describing the boys, she's even gossiping about them! Her cheerful portrayal suits this movement very well, and it makes us feel as if she is a young girl describing her friends (and boyfriends).

The last movement inhabits another completely different world. In this movement, she becomes very expressively sad, especially when she describes the friend's answer. However, it is the last lines that are breathtakingly beautiful. Written by Mahler himself, it is about his own philosophy towards death, and here Janet Baker represents it with so much hope. The repeated ewig's are very beautiful. As the music begins to fade, so does her voice, - the last 'ewig' is merely a whisper. It is really unforgettable.

I have my own reservation about James King. Fine though he is, I found his voice a little too small, particularly in the first movement, when the tenor is 'attacked' by the orchestra. It's a pity, because the orchestra playing here is simply marvelous. The terror and desperation are captured perfectly. The worst part is in the last "Dunker ist das Leben, ist der Tod", which is very important actually. There, the last "Tod" is really gone, swallowed by the loud sound of the orchestra.

The third and the fifth songs are quite all right for me. Especially the third. Here, he sounds great, and the descriptions are also imaginative as well. In the fifth, although I still feel his voice a little bit small, his portrayal of drunken man is quite convincing.

I also like Haitink's direction (left). He seems to regard this as a symphony, with the third, fourth, and fifth as the scherzo. There is a unified feeling among those movements. His choices for speed are also very ideal. Nothing in this recording feels too slow or too fast. This makes the orchestra very effective. Listen especially to the middle section of the fourth. In this part, the orchestra so vividly describes the galloping of the horses, which makes Janet Baker's fine performance much more outstanding.

On the whole, it is a very fine performance. The 1976 recording is quite good. Although it is not as detailed as Klemperer's legendary performance, and there are some blur parts, in my opinion, it is quite clear and refined. I can see nothing wrong to recommend this. For me, the fourth song remains the best of all. You really have to hear it, even if you own other versions.

This performance also appears in two (see how great it is!) other reissues, both on the Philips Duo series. One is coupled with Haitink's recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 9 and the other is with various orchestral song cycles. Given the choice, I'd prefer the former, since it is an ideal coupling (both represents the late style of Mahler) and it is one of the best Mahler 9's. However, if you are on a limited budget, try to find this Philips Silver Line CD. Whatever you are (Mahler newbies or fans), I'm sure you won't regret it. I've yet to listen to the other Janet Baker recording. I will give you my comment once I grab that. Until that time, try to hear this, will you?

GUSTAV MAHLER 1860-1911

Symphony No.1 (DG/Kubelik) Symphony No.2 (EMI/Klemperer) Symphony No.5 Inktroduction Recordings Survey Recordings Survey 2 Symphony No.7. Kindertotenlieder (Sinopoli/DG) Symphony No.8 Inktroduction Bavarian Radio/Davis BBC Symphony/Horenstein Danish RSO/Segerstam Chicago SO/Solti Das Lied von der Erde (Ferrier/Decca) Das Lied von der Erde (Haitink/Philips) Das Lied von der Erde (Klemperer/EMI) Kindertotenlieder

In Singapore, this disc is available at or can be ordered from HMV (The Heeren), Tower (Pacific Plaza & Suntec City) or Sing Discs (Raffles City).

Can anyone buy/lend Michael Anthonio the Leppard version? (I wish…)

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757: 19.8.2000 ©Michael Anthonio

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