Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde / Boulez, Vienna Philharmonic

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Pierre Boulez's ongoing Gustav Mahler cycle pleases those who prefer a lucid, analytical take on these sprawling works, while displeasing those who favor interpretations that match Mahler's wild, all-encompassing attempt to capture the universe in sound. This Lied won't change any minds, but even naysayers will appreciate its strong points, among which mezzo-soprano Violeta Urmana is by far the strongest. The voice itself is pliant, warm, expressive, and in the final "Abschied," Mahler's moving farewell to life, Urmana erases memories of most of her recorded predecessors. Tenor Michael Schade's bright, ringing tenor cuts through the orchestra, albeit with a misguided attempt to color and highlight even the words best sung simply. Boulez's attention to detail and the Vienna Philharmonic's masterly playing are other pluses. But the emotional core of the music is missing; Boulez gives us the music but not the emotions it should convey, resulting in a Lied that's alienated from itself. Interesting as this release is, the very different approaches of Walter, Horenstein, Bernstein, and Klemperer have more to say about this music. --Dan Davis

Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde / Boulez, Vienna Philharmonic, Music, Gustav Mahler, Pierre Boulez, Violeta Urmana, Michael Schade, Vienna Philharmonic, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral & Symphonic, Romantic Symphony, Symphonic

Average customer rating:

Boulez and the Song of the Earth

displeased by the recording process

Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000079BGH
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Customer Reviews:

Boulez and the Song of the Earth.......2005-12-23

Pierre Boulez continues to amaze audiences with his insightful performances of standard works, bringing to life inner voices, balances among the choirs of strings, brass, woodwinds, and a sense of excitement from his making it all sound new.

Such is the case for this recording of Gustav Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' with the superlative Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He draws some of the most beautiful playing from this ensemble heard on recordings. Electing to use the original thought of Mahler in employing the contralto voice with the tenor voice, Boulez has wisely chosen Violeta Urmana who in 2001 was a true contralto/mezzo, and the brightly ardent tenor Michael Schade. Both singers understand the poetry and can deliver the texts with all of the range of emotions Mahler explored.

Some will find the tempi a bit fast but the playing time is the same as on Bruno Walter's recording, and he was the original conductor and knew Mahler well! The performance is at once rollicking and tender: just wait for Urmana's intoning of the final 'Ewig, ewig..." that slips the work into the ether of farewell. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

displeased by the recording process.......2005-08-26

I was wondering if Mahler's music was so intringuing and mistique as some people say. Despite personal tastes, I find that this particular SACD (or those who are encoded in 44khz/24 bits instead of 88khz) sounds artificial, without bright or space definition, as other great sacd's. I would recommend this sort of records on standard cd.

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