Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth)
Gustav Mahler
Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak / Bruno Walter / Vienna Philharmonic
1952 Mono recording.Top choice. An old classic and 'an aligning of the stars.' A passionate, committed version from artists indelibly associated with the work. Ferrier sings with deep commitment, and Walter, who knew Mahler, conducts with deep emotional understanding.
Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak / Bruno Walter / Vienna Philharmonic
1952 Live recording (on Tara).A live concert version from one day after the studio sessions. The sound is ironically a bit clearer and 'easier on the ear,' and the performance is just as committed and intense.
Janet Baker, Waldemar Kmentt / Rafael Kubelík / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
1970 Live recording.Baker (Ferrier's 'heir apparent') sounds 'gorgeous, just really sensitive and poignant, very touching.' Kubelík is energetic and sensitive. Good, clear sound for a live recording.
Maureen Forrester, Richard Lewis / Fritz Reiner / Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1959A wonderful version in demonstration-quality sound. Reiner's interpretation is natural, and the CSO plays with incredible detail. Forrester is 'beautifully poignant, very, very nuanced and sensitive'.
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, James King / Leonard Bernstein / Vienna Philharmonic
1966The famous baritone version. Fischer-Dieskau's interpretation is masterful, and the combination with Bernstein is highly emotional but very nuanced. 'The final op sheet is just heavenly in its delicacy'.
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Murray Dickie / Paul Kletzki / Philharmonia Orchestra
1959An earlier version with Fischer-Dieskau, notable for its smoother tone. A more straightforward, 'natural' interpretation that is gorgeously sung and beautifully played.
Alfreda Hodgson, John Mitchison / Jascha Horenstein / BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra
1972 Live recording.From a renowned Mahler conductor who loved this work. A passionate, sensitive, and 'really, really moving version' that delves into every nook and cranny, taken at slower tempos.
Nan Merriman, Ernst Haefliger / Eugen Jochum / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
1963An excellent version in good stereo sound. Jochum conducts in a 'very sensuous way... flexible, really, really gorgeous sounding.' Great for 'taking a bath in beautiful orchestral sounds'.
Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich / Otto Klemperer / Philharmonia & New Philharmonia Orchestras
early 1960sA famous consensus reference version. 'You're not going to find better sounding soloists.' Wunderlich is amazing, and Ludwig is poignant. Klemperer brings gravitas, though perhaps lacks some flexibility for this work.
Kirsten Thorborg, Carl Martin Öhmann / Carl Schuricht / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
1939 Live recording.A very passionate and dramatic live performance. Thorborg, a Wagnerian mezzo, is passionate and expressive, delivering 'one of the most beautiful op sheets you'll ever hear,' despite the older sound.