A Benchmark Performance | Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Songs of a Wayfarer

Oldie but goodie | Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Songs of a Wayfarer - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau / Bavarian Radio Symphony ... | Gustav Mahler, Rafael Kubelik, ...

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	• Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Songs of a Wayfarer - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau / Bavarian Radio Symphony ... Gustav Mahler, Rafael Kubelik, ... Deutsche Grammophon, 1997 average customer review:based on 34 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Get It, you won't be disappointed!

I bought this recording soon after it's first release, and it went straight to the top of my list of favorite Mahler 1sts. The Bavarian Orchestra possesses a very special quality of sound and musicianship. It's strings are ravishing heard live, so smooth and sweet sounding, flexible and lively when called for. Kubelik was a master conductor, keenly intelligent and wise. His Mahler recordings are to be treasured, whether they're favorites or a supplemental buy. I particularly love the homey quaint exaggeration K. asks from the trumpets in the second movement. They waken nostalgia even if you don't know what for. I love the Horenstein Mahler First with the LSO that Unicorn recorded, but the sound and playing aren't as good as they are in this performance. I had treasured a Barbirolli/Hallé recording on Pye/Vanguard LP, but I haven't seen it on CD and I don't do LPs anymore, no matter how good.

Fischer-Dieskau's singing the Wayfarer Songs leaves nothing to be desired and Kubelik accompanies appropriately and idiomatically. If you have doubts whether you really want yet another recording of the Titan, you really won't be disappointed with this one (at least I hope).

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A Benchmark Performance

This reissue from DG features a benchmark performance of the 1st, which sounds so musically fresh and natural in its unexaggerated performance, remastered and now paired with a vigorous male-voice version of the Songs of a Wayfarer, making this disk quite a bargain for the music enthusiast who is just beginning to build up a collection of Mahler's music.

Oldie but goodie

I have always thrilled at the music of Gustav Mahler, and this 40-year-old performance can not be improved upon. Especially the singing of Fischer-Dieskau. There are many good singers that are almost of his quality but none, in my opinion can really equal his.

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Sublime

As a mere classical enthusiast I can't speak to the technical achievements of this recording, the best I can say is that it transports me to another world; sometimes terrible, sometimes beautiful beyond words. It's my absolute favorite musical recording.

A not-to-be-missed, stunning thriller!

Wow. Here's another outstanding example of a fact in evidence: the difference between the so-called straightforward (i.e. dispassionate) and the expressionistic schools of Mahler interpretation, is the difference between dull and thrilling. It adds up practically, to Mahler a la two disparate personae! In other words, if you've only heard cool, temperate offerings of his symphonies, give this disc a listen and I dare say you'll meet a Mahler you never knew. And I submit (given the man's known emotionally intense nature) you'll get a more bona fide impression of him. In sum, passionate is better. Moreover, what makes this version so special is the degree of risk Kubelik takes in casting off restraint (or exaggerating the expression). Listen, for example, to how the normally precise Bavarians loosen up their execution in the third movement's passages of Jewish styled music. The subtle effect cleverly magnifies the vivid flavor of native authenticity, transporting us from the formal concert hall to the midst of a casual family festivity. Brace yourself too: it seems our maestro gave a champagne bottle a vigorous shake, because this symphony's most uproarious moments really blast off.

Symphony No. 1 was my first, and for many years, my only acquaintance with the brilliant composer. In acquiring this power-injected disc, its position as my favorite Mahler is reclaimed without a hitch (that is at least until the next time I listen to the Sixth as recorded by the Atlanta Symphony with Yoel Levi)! To be sure, a gamut of emotions is explored here. (Remember, Mahler the symphonist is always attempting to wrap his arms around the world.) But overall, with the ebullient first movement establishing the tone, this particular symphony to me is--in four words--delightfully sunny and fun.

Sonically, the remastered 1968 recording is dazzlingly hot, which makes for considerably kicked-up immediacy (source master volume level). Likewise, I'd say it's rather bright (i.e. ample on the high end). Don't worry though, that doesn't mean it's too edgy, harsh or short on warmth. Still, if you're like me--typically preferring to set your treble control all the way up--in this case I'd suggest cranking it back a few notches. You won't miss anything. Another remastering benefit of note: It's nice, for a change, not to have to either strain or boost the volume to hear the softly opening "Frere Jacques" tune of the third movement.

While generally not an avid fan of classical song, I was quite unexpectedly taken aback by the apt coupling of the Songs of a Wayfarer (the melodic foundation of much of Symphony 1). Altogether, these are so richly and deliciously rendered with such verve by baritone, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (accompanied by the BRSO), that I surprisingly found myself not just appreciating but actually enjoying them. Go figure, in spite of myself.

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Here's a delightful coupling: Mahler's First Symphony and the song cycle that donated many of its themes to the larger work. Best of all, both performances are superb. Rafael Kubelik is the dark horse among Mahler conductors. His interpretations are always fresh, unforced, and seemingly without exaggeration. However, he knows how to build a climax, and his generally swift tempos never permit a minute's boredom. There are many moments to cherish in his performance of the symphony, not least the delicious woodwind playing and the tangy trumpets in the third movement's Fiddler on the Roof music. Reissued at midprice in excellently remastered sound--better than most new digitals in many respects--this is a performance that remains one of the best, and as a coupling it's unbeatable. --David Hurwitz

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

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Tracks
Symphonie No. 1: Symphonie No. 1: 1. Langsam. Schleppend. Wie ein Naturlaut - Im Anfang sehr gemachlich | Symphonie No. 1: Symphonie No. 1: 2. Kraftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell - Trio. Recht gemachlich | Symphonie No. 1: Symphonie No. 1: 3. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen | Symphonie No. 1: Symphonie No. 1: 4. Sturmisch bewegt | Songs of a Wayfarer: Songs of a Wayfarer : 1. Wenn mein Schartz Hochzeit macht | Songs of a Wayfarer: Songs of a Wayfarer : 2. Ging heut morgen uber Feld | Songs of a Wayfarer: Songs of a Wayfarer : 3. Ich hab'ein gluhend Messer | Songs of a Wayfarer: Songs of a Wayfarer : 4. Die zwei blauden Augen

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