Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Kindertotenlieder / Rückert-Lieder [Import]

Christa Ludwig (Artist), Gustav Mahler (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Gustav Mahler
• Audio CD (April 15, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B000001GY6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,727 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Ludwig, Christa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Karajan's Mahler, this one's a winner, July 2, 2000

By 

Ray Barnes (Surrey, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Kindertotenlieder / Rückert-Lieder (Audio CD)

Of all of Karajan's recordings of Mahler's symphonies, the ones that have received the highest praise have been his two accounts of the Ninth, and some feel the latter live performance of these is the better. I have not heard that recording, but can recommend the first one offered here. In comparison to his 5th, this account of the 9th is perhaps a bit more controlled and emotionally restrained, and Karajan's reading does not allow Mahler to, so to speak, wear his heart on his sleeve. It is close in tempo and interpretation to Haitink's famous record with the Concertgebouw, and has a slightly brisker tempo than Klemperer with the Philharmonia. It is not as aggressive or forward in sound as the Solti 9th, although a case could be made that Solti's approach comes closer to the letter of the score. In comparison to Barbirolli's wonderful performance with the BPO, the Karajan has better sound but not better playing - maybe not even as good in the woodwind in fact. The strings in both performance are very beautiful, and the superior sound gives the Karajan an advantage here. The inner movements could be a bit more incisive in rythmic pointing, but they still work well. The outer movements are slow but not excessively so.

Christa Ludwig's performances of the Kindertotenlieder and 5 Ruckert Lieder, previously coupled with Karajan's reading of Mahler's 6th Symphony, remain outstanding, and she receives excellent support from the orchestra.

The documentation is excellent too and at medium price this can be recommended. I still like the Solti 9th best of all (although the interpretation has not received unaminous praise), because the CSO's playing is in a class of its own, and is superbly recorded.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Karajan at his best, July 19, 2001

By 

jhorro (VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Kindertotenlieder / Rückert-Lieder (Audio CD)

This is the third version I have owned of this work - the others involved Solti in Chicago and Dohnanyi in Cleveland. Karajan is in his element with this music. Dohnanyi's version brought out the chamber qualities, which did not exist in Solti's extrovert account. Karajan knows how to shape the larger structures, without masking the detail. I became displeased with the other versions not long ago - they simply wore out. Even after a couple years, the Karajan is still an emotional experience for me. In the last movement, one can feel the pressure of the great Berlin orchestra trying to meet the vision of their conductor. And that sums up its success. I noticed that the amazon.com reviewer mentioned a missed entry in one of the movements. This will not stop you from finding pleasure in the reading and relishing the experience again and again.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great but could have been better., June 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Kindertotenlieder / Rückert-Lieder (Audio CD)

Karajan does a fine job conducting in all of his Mahler recordings (Oddly, he only recorded 4,5,6, and the 9th twice). In this recording, the strings are terrific, especially in the Adagio. The brass players shine throughout, especially the horns. The only reason why I gave this recording four stars is because of some sloppy playing by the auxiliary woodwind players (especially the contrabasson and e-flat clarinet). The recording sound is excellent, even better, in my opinion, than Karajan's live recording done a few years later. As for that live recording, I really don't understand what the big deal is. Karajan is much more expressive and the playing is somewhat better in this earlier recording. For those who love this music, this is a must.