For many, Das Lied is Mahler’s magnum opus, and one of the monumental compositions of the twentieth century. This music would be compelling if performed by The Harmonica Rascals! While the Smithsonian Chamber Players and Santa Fe Pro Musica are certainly better suited to the Mahler idiom than Borah Minevitch’s minions, they are not The Vienna Philharmonic.
Shostakovitch described Das Lied von der Erde as the one work he would last like to hear on earth, music of such perfect yearning and rapture. The performance (Decca 00289 466 3812) by James King, tenor, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone, and The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein, eloquently captures the essence of Das Lied. The Dorian Kenneth Slowik recording of the Verein transcription by Schoenberg/Riehn is very beautiful and nearly ravishing, but it is not Vienna Philharmonic ravishing. The wonderful oboe and flute solos are beautifully played by the Smithsonian/ Santa Fe musicians. One does, however, really miss those Mahler strings. This is particularly true if the listener is “set up” by a recent experience with Das Lied’s “companion piece” the Mahler Ninth Symphony. The chamber timbres of the Slowik Dorian recording fall short of the mark.
The first song of Das Lied was partially transcribed for a chamber group by Schoenberg. The remainder of No. 1 and the following five songs were completed by the conductor Rainer Riehn. The instrumental combinations generally work well within the spirit of the work. But Mahler’s yearning and sense of resignation, embodied by strings and full orchestra, are needfully missing. Russell Braun is a magnificent baritone soloist. He is “to the Mahler born”. There are strong intimations of the young Fischer-Dieskau in Braun’s performance; higher praise cannot be offered. What a treat it would be to have Braun sing Das Lied with full orchestra! All in all, a nice try. Essential Mahler in a less-than-essential format. Certainly a worthwhile addition to your Das Lied collection.
– Ron Legum
