Michael Schade [Tenor], Wiener Philharmoniker [Orchestra], Pierre Boulez [Conductor] Violeta Urmana [Mezzo-Soprano] - Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
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Artist: Michael Schade [Tenor], Wiener Philharmoniker [Orchestra], Pierre Boulez [Conductor] Violeta Urmana [Mezzo-Soprano]Composer: Gustav [Composer] Mahler
Conductor: Pierre Boulez
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Performer: Violeta Urmana
Performer: Michael Schade
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2011-10-21
Music Label: Decca International
Soundtracks:
- Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde
- Der Einsame im Herbst
- Von der Jugend
- Von der Sch\xF6nheit
- Der Trunkene im Fr\xFChling
- Der Abschied
Music reviews of Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Music Review: Fresh, Honest and Genial
Rating: 5 Stars
Whether or not this is the way in which Das Lied von der Erde 'should' be played in the first place, I don't know. Mahler didn't know it either, but what he DID know for sure was that if this music be performed really, really well, wouldn't the only alternative be to just... end one's own life? Well, that can't be the case for this (or any) recording, but I really love this interpretation.
I have always thought that Mahler should mainly be played in a 'natural' kind of way without stressing too much any possible 'meanings' 'behind' the notes, without too much 'hineininterpretieren'. With 'natural' I perhaps also mean that any performance of this (and any piece of music) should sound 'fresh' and 'honest'. But, well, in the end it really is a matter of taste... But at the same time we do of course need different interpretations of the same work, with every conductor stressing new details and maybe bringing new (and hopefully profound) insights into the music - this is what music needs for it to stay 'alive' and ever renewing. For example, while I think Haitink's 1982 Mahler 7 is simply great, I also love Sir Simon Rattle's rather idiosyncratic Mahler 7.
The same goes for Das Lied von der Erde: there are of course no better places to immerse yourself in this unique 'world' created Mahler than the great recordings of Bruno Walter, Otto Klemperer et al. who have proven their status as classics.
This recording by Boulez could hardly be called a classic (yet), but I must confess I do indeed very much like Pierre Boulez' interpretations of Mahler, although Boulez also seems to generally stress one particular aspect of Mahler, namely 'Mahler the renewer and modernist'. Nevertheless, IMHO Boulez' viewpoint is ligitimate and does add new insights into the music. His vision is just as legitimate as any other. Especially so here, in this performance of Das Lied von der Erde, where every instrumental voice is given pride of place beside all other instruments. As a result, and under the intelligent supervision of Pierre Boulez, the many colorful layers of this extremely polychrome and expressionistic music are laid bare in a magnificently convincing way, helped of course by the incredibly precise and incisive playing of the Vienna Philharmonic. Both Michael Schade and Violetta Urmana, both with very clear voices and with light and fresh timbres, fit wonderfully in this soundpicture. (And about 'lighter', more 'lyrical' voices, who would, in his right mind, contest the truth and legitimacy of a voice like Peter Schreier's in this repertoire?!)
Some may find this performance under Boulez too 'distant', being the result of a 'coldly dissecting' intellect. But this performance can also be explained as an honest and utterly artistic attempt (succeeded, in my view!) by all involved to bring out from underneath a layer of accumulated performance traditions (Boulez hates tradition) music which we can enjoy and love as if it were being performed and created for the first time. Not at all a 'coolly distant' performance, but rather fresh and full of (new) life. An artistic achievement of the highest order, this magnificent album. (This is of course my own, rather personal view, but as such, this evaluation of mine could be helpful to anyone to form or refine their own opinion about this recording!)
Description of Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde by Violeta Urmana [Mezzo-Soprano], Michael Schade [Tenor], Wiener Philharmoniker [Orchestra], Pierre Boulez [Conductor]This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.
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
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