[ EMI Classics Great Recordings of the Century / CD ]
Release Date: Saturday 22 August 1998
1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950)
"....not likely to be outshone for a long time" (Gramophone)
Not only did Otto Klemperer know Mahler personally, he had reason to be grateful to the composer, who helped him in the early stages of his career. Klemperer first conducted Das Lied von der Erde in 1924 and this recording dates from some 40 years later. Few tenors have rivalled Fritz Wunderlich's glowing heroic lyricism, while Christa Ludwig, both opulent of tone and acutely sensitive, makes the final 'Abschied' an unforgettable experience.
STEREO · RECORDED IN 1964 & 1966
NOTE: This is the original Great Recordings of the Century release....however this is still available as part of a box set.