Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
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GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Piotr Beczala (tenor), Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Gerold Huber (piano)
[ Sony Classical / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 5 May 2023
Christian Gerhaher - the world's pre-eminent exponent of Austro-German lieder - turns to an intimate piano-accompanied version of Gustav Mahler's song-cycle Das Lied von der Erde for his latest release on Sony Classical. Pianist Gerold Huber joins the baritone and tenor Piotr Beczala for this stripped-back traversal of Mahler's snapshots of life and existence.
Mahler wrote the six songs of Das Lied von der Erde in 1908 following the death of his eldest daughter, his racially aggravated enforced resignation from the Vienna State Opera and the revelation that he himself faced impending death.
After the opulence of a symphony orchestra - with which Gerhaher recorded Das Lied von der Erde for Sony Classical in 2009 - Mahler's piano version offers a sharper focus akin to an X-Ray of the images the composer presents. It is perfect for Gerhaher's trademark intimacy of sound and impeccable interpretative detail.
"Beczała's performances of his [latter] two songs are immaculately weighted and coloured, providing a perfect counterpoint to Gerhaher's explorations, which lead inevitably to a wonderfully searching account of the final Abschied, in which every phrase seems to be individually imagined...Orchestral colours are missed more than ever here, but the sheer range of Gerhaher's inflections, the way in which he treasures every word, is a treat in itself." Guardian
"[Gerhaher shades] each note and word with such beauty and subtlety that it feels as if he's whispering into your ear. Huber's extensive piano contributions, too, are always expressive and well-judged. Mahler's orchestral version in the end might be preferred, but that doesn't stop this album being a fascinating listening experience.": The Times
