Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde / The Song of the Earth

Gustav Mahler (Composer), Bruno Walter (Conductor), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra), Mildred Miller (Performer), Ernst Haefliger (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Mildred Miller, Ernst Haefliger
• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
• Conductor: Bruno Walter
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (January 24, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002A7L
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,484 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra: No 1, Das Trinkleid von Jammer der Erde

2. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra: No 2, Der Einsame im Herbst

3. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra: No 3, Von der Jungend

4. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra: No 4, Von der Schönheit

5. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra: No 5, Der Trunkene im Frühling

6. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra: No 6, Der Abschied

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't forget Ernst Haefliger, December 15, 1999

By 

Peter Goldstein (Huntingdon, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde / The Song of the Earth (Audio CD)

I love this recording, too, but not so much for Mildred Miller (like the other reviewer) as for Ernst Haefliger, my favorite tenor. The opening song is incredibly difficult, as the singer has to make himself heard against a soaring orchestra. Just listen to Haefliger convey the passion and desperation. And then there's the wonderful song of the Drunkard in Spring, where he shows his delicacy and humor. Great, great singer, and a wonderful recording all around.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Recording, Mildred Miller, and an On-Line Libretto, December 7, 1999

By 

Dr. David P. Burke (Monterey, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde / The Song of the Earth (Audio CD)

Bruno Walter's close personal and professional relationship to Gustav Mahler in the final years of the composer's life adds interest to any Walter performance of a Mahler work, and especially of Das Lied von der Erde with which Walter is so closely identified.

David Hurwitz's is right, in his review for Amazon.com, that this, Walter's final recording of Das Lied, is the one to own, chiefly because of the superior performances by the vocal soloists. However, instead of just panning the performance by Kathleen Ferrier in the earlier Vienna Philharmonic recording, Hurwitz might given credit by name to the artist who surpassed her, Mildred Miller. Her performance on this recording, made in the maturity of Miller's career, is notable not only for the richness and beauty of her voice, but for her sensitivity to the text of the German translations of the classical Chinese poems of the Tang Dynasty that comprise Das Lied's libretto.

Unfortunately, no libretto is included with this recording. You can enhance your enjoyment of this fine performance by downloading one, in German and English, from www.recmusic.org/lieder/v/various/erde.html.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great Mahlerian saddled with a mediocre mezzo, February 15, 2007

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde / The Song of the Earth (Audio CD)

David Hurwitz delivers one of his typical comic performances by trashing Walter's legendary Das Lied (mono, Decca) with Julius Parzak and Kathleen Ferrier, one of the classics of recorded sound, while preferring this dodgy stereo remake. Certainly there are great things here. Walter wasn't always vigorous in old age, but in the opening tenor song he is full of vigor and insight, and the NY Phil. plays with total conviction. In addition, the Swiss tenor Ernst Haefliger, never a thrill to hear, does quite a good job, giving us a surprisingly full tone and confident phrasing--a far cry from the strained yelling so often heard. The stereo sound from 1958 is clear and warm, too, especially in the new "Great Performances" remastering.

What starts off so well doesn't stay that way, however. The conducting never flags, but Walter made an unfortunate choice in the now-forgotten Mildred Miller. The mezzo, alto, or baritone who sings Mahler's great half-hour final song, Der Abschied, must rise to heights of expression, passion, and musicianship. Ferrier, Christa Ludwig, and Janet Baker do just that, while Miller is merely good, assuming you like her somewhat quavery light voice. For those of us who cherish Walter's Mahler, this CD remains a must-listen, even though more than half the work is sung by an artist of medium caliber.