Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Das Lied von der Erde (1909) (Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde
[7:50]; Die Einsame im Herbst [9:58]; Der Pavillon aus Porzellan [2:59]; Am
Ufer [6:47]; Der Trinker im Frühling [4:28]; Der Abschied [28:19])
Thomas Moser ( tenor) [1, 3, 5]; Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo) [movements 2,
4, 6]; Cyprien Katsaris (piano)
rec. 1990, Berlin
WARNER APEX CD 2564 681627 [60:41]
Originally recorded in 1990 and released on Warner Classics, this reissue
on Warner Apex makes available Mahler’s version of the symphonic song-cycle
Das Lied von der Erde in the composer’s edition with piano. A case
has been made for this to be performed in this version, and the differences
are apparent in this performance in which the pianistic elements are played
effectively by Cyprien Katsaris. Katsaris’s style does not suggest a pianist
attempting to capture the full orchestra on piano, but rather an idiomatic
performer accompanying in a late-Romantic song-cycle. The dynamics are present
and appropriate for the singers; the more complicated passages are rendered
clearly, and nowhere are there tricks to suggest orchestral touches. All in
all, Katsaris gives a reading faithful to Mahler’s piano score. While some
of the orchestral touches that suggest musical orientalism, as in the adept
scoring of pentatonic phrases in the middle section of “Von der Schönheit”,
are less prominent in the piano version, recollections of the conventional
scoring soon fade in this compelling recording.
The soloists are commendable in this demanding score, which is all the more
exposed because of the use of a piano in lieu of full orchestra. As found
in this performance, the voices have more weight and prominence. While they
do not have to compete, as it were, with the amplitude of the orchestra, they
also do not have the opportunity to fade into it. The vocality of Das Lied
emerges more readily in this version and requires the soloists to be as sensitive
to sustained pitches, phrase beginnings and endings, and articulations. Both
soloists meet the challenges of the score well, with some admirable work by
Thomas Moser, particularly in “Der Trinker im Frühling”, which is nicely secure.
The music fits his voice well. While some of his sustained pitches sometimes
show strain, it is not something that would be a reason not to enjoy his performance.
His opening to a “Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde” makes for a fine launch
to the cycle.
Brigitte Fassbaender’s “Der Abschied” is outstanding, and transcends the differences
between the full score and the piano version. This rich, well-articulated
interpretation is impressive for its facile execution and deep expression.
As to the latter, Fassbaender achieves it without overacting or excesses of
any kind. Her final iterations of “ewig” have an ecstatic quality that fits
well into her approach generally. She does not allow the idea of farewell,
so evident in a piece entitled “Der Abschied” to overbalance the sense that
she brings to each strophe of the text. She treats her other movements with
equal finesse, and the more extroverted “Am Ufer” (“Von der Schönheit” in
the full score) is particularly effective. The piano score makes use of the
title “Der Pavillon aus Porzellan” instead of its more familiar appellation
“Von der Jugend”.
As to authenticity, the version is entirely Mahler’s, and the option of performing
Das Lied in this manner is a matter left to the performers. The performance
tradition reaches to 1912, when Mahler’s protégé Bruno Walter conducted the
premiere of the orchestral version. Only in the late 1980s did this version
with piano accompaniment become available in the edition prepared by Stephen
Hefling. In recent years the performing tradition of Das Lied has been
enhanced with versions for chamber orchestra and various lower voices to complement
the tenor; the conventional use of the mezzo or alto sometimes shifts to baritone,
so that two men sing the piece. Yet this version with piano accompaniment,
along with tenor and mezzo works well, particularly with the adept accompaniment
offered by Cyprien Katsaris. This is a worthwhile recording of the song-cycle
that stands as the culmination of Mahler’s contributions to the genre.
James L. Zychowicz
A worthwhile recording of the song-cycle that stands as the culmination of
Mahler’s contributions to the genre.