Customer Reviews
Sublime - By: Mr. S. Hugo, 15 Mar 2006 
I have recently updated alll my Mahler symphonies on CD, but I realised that the box set I aquired did not contain either Das Leid von der erde or the song cycles. When I purchased this title I did not expect to be so moved by the singing of Dame Janet Baker whose emotional rendition is outstanding. The orchestrations by Mahler, & the interpretation of Barbirolli are exquisite, but Dame Janet is the star on this CD, her voice is so perfect, I would imagine that this is what angels sound like. This is one of the finest CDs I have ever bought & five stars does not do it justce.
Five Stars for Songs of a Wayfarer - By: Gontroppo, 03 Mar 2004 The Songs of a Wayfarer song cycle is a great entry point into Mahler, & also into classical song. The tunes are simple [yet profound] & easy to comprehend.
Mahler's orchestration of his song cycle is exquisite. It is interesting to listen to Janet Baker's performance of the cycle with Geoffrey Parsons accompanying on piano & hear it both ways.
I think the version with piano only has greater subtlety in both soloist & accompanist's performances, but this is nevertheless a wonderful performance.
Other works that provide a great entry point into Mahler incldue the Resurrection Symphony [I love the generously packaged Kaplan version on Conifer] & the Song of the Earth.
Superb performances combining poetry with power. - By: , 06 Jun 2001 This collection of songs is a remarkable achievement. During the mid sixties Dame Janet Baker was at the peak of her power & obviously had complete rapport with Sir John Barbirolli. Of the three song cycles presented here, the Kindertotenlieder are perhaps the most outstanding, possibly due to their artistic cohesion. Dame Janet sings with poetry & power & yet at the same time she maintains an almost childlike vulnerability. At alll times the orchestral accompaniment supports the singer & textures are beatifully preserved by the conductor. The acoustic is slightly dry, but this maintains the clarity of the scoring. This remains an unmissable contribution from two of Britains finest musicians.
