Lover of all things classical, player of piano, disciple of Stravinsky, Shostakovich, and Mahler.
Classic Reviewer Rank: 37,138
Helpful votes received on all
contributions:
84% (97 of 116)
Nickname: brmerrick3
In My Own Words:
I am currently writing articles for strike-the-root.com and doing my best to live peacefully with my neighbors. You should, too.
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Contributions
Classic Reviewer Rank: 37,138
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Based on the way it's performed here, I'd rank this as one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, piano concerto of the twentieth century. Barber is in full, violent, neo-romantic force with this composition. John Browning is matched at every turn by Slatkin's interpretation. I am still amazed at the bass sonorities on this recording. The piano sounds as if it's coming straight out of thundering skies.
The opening solo theme is strong and definitive, but just wait for the orchestra to enter with its own powerful statement. Both the first and third movements end with the appropriate amount of passionate force. The central movement is a wonderful contrast to the tempests… Read more
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![Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde [Great Performances] by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Lied-Erde-Great-Performances/dp/artist-redirect/B0013DCD5I/ref=dmusic_byline/177-0210433-6897122">Ernst Haefliger, New York Philharmonic, Bruno Walter Mildred Miller</a>](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bdMr1Cc7L._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
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This version of "Das Lied" is fleshed out and sonorous. The recording truly has been restored quite nicely. You may hear a little white noise if you're playing it louder, but it's hardly worth mentioning.
Miller and Haefliger are able singers. They put passion and warmth into the singing that is certainly enjoyable. They are placed quite close to the microphones, so some listeners might find the singing a bit overbearing, but it certainly isn't as if the orchestra is drowned out, or that the mood is spoiled.
My only genuine complaint is that the wobbly vibrato of the solo trumpet in certain parts of the opening is a bit of an annoyance, but a minor one. If… Read more
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Everything that's great about this recording has already been said, and very well at that. My reason for adding a review is merely to help offset the poorer rankings from other reviewers. I don't think they're deserved.
From the start, with the heralding of the Horns and the tenor's burst into the higher registers, this performance is arresting and quite satisfying. I am especially pleased with "Von der Jugend," taken at just the right tempo with beautiful, lilting, carefree lines in the woodwinds. Schade is indeed up to the task. His abilities in the upper register are passionate and note-perfect. Urmana's lovely singing is equal to Schade's.
Boulez has put… Read more
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