Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

One of today’s most significant recording cycles continues with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony offering another instalment in their award-winning cycle of Mahler vocal and orchestral works, this time tackling the exquisite and mysterious Das Lied von der Erde. The project’s uncommon critical and commercial success have brought the exceptional conductor-orchestra partnership two Grammy Awards and numerous citations throughout the world. Every release has entered the Top Ten of the Billboard Classical Chart. MTT has distinguished himself as one of the world’s foremost Mahler interpreters, and through his signature performances, as one of the composer’s most compelling advocates. Recently, his achievements were recognised by The Gramophone who named him Artist of the Year.

Not only the music, but the guests on this recording are also impressive: worldwide famous and always mesmerizing baritone Thomas Hampson and tenor Stuart Skelton (who rose to fame singing the great Wagner and Strauss tenor roles). Most fans will be surprised to see the man doing the lower part – immortalized by great singers, such as Brigitte Fassbaender, Kathleen Ferrier and Christa Ludwig – but it is not uncommon nor the first time on record, and Thomas Hampson certainly has the credentials and experience in this role. Since the project began in 2001, the San Francisco Symphony has recorded eight of the nine Mahler symphonies, Kindertotenlieder and the Adagio from the unfinished Tenth Symphony and due to its commercial, critical acclaim and artistic success of the Mahler recording project, the SFS has expanded it to include all Mahler’s works for voices, chorus and orchestra, including a remastering of their earlier recording of Das klagende Lied.

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.