Janet Baker's performance of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde was first issued on BBC Radio Classics in 1995. It received the following review in the Penquin Guide, 'The Leppard version offers Dame Janet Baker at her very peak in 1977, giving one of the most moving and richly varied readings of the contralto songs ever...the final Abschied has depth and intensity that set it above even Dame Janet's earlier recording with Haitink...an essential purchase for admirers of Dame Janet and Mahler'.
John Mitchinson, who also sang on the Horenstein version of Das Lied von der Erde (BBCL 4042-2) 'focuses ever more securely through the work, with many cleanly ringing top notes' (Penguin Guide).
Paul Baily, our remastering engineer, has vastly improved the original stereo tapes.
The Mahler is coupled with a rare broadcast of Dame Janet singing Brahms's Alto Rhapsody accompanied by Sir Adrian Boult and the BBCSO in 1968. Recorded live in the Royal Festival Hall, it comes two years before her studio account made in December 1970 and as always with live performances, has that extra frisson which Janet Baker could give.
All Dame Janet's BBC Legends releases have been strong sellers over the years. Her association with Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde makes this an important addition to the series.
