Search - Gustav Mahler, Osmo Vänskä, Sinfonia Lahti Chamber Ensemble :: Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

Schoenberg's chamber arrangement gets a very enjoyable outin

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 03/18/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Schoenberg made a chamber arrangement of Das Lied, the cause was necessity -- it was the only way to get the score heard when full orchestras wouldn't play it. Now the work is ubiquitous, so is there any reason to shortchange Mahler's incomparable orchestration? Besides removing so many voices, Schoenberg added a piano (discreetly), which is somewhat jarring. The only reason I can see is a performance like this one led by Osmo Vanska, which is so musical that it belongs with its grown-up relations. IN addition, Monica Groop and Jorma Silvasti are excellent soloists, the tenor helped more than the mezzo by not having to compete with a hundred musicians. There's an ease and poetry to their delivery that adds an appealing dimension to tis performance.



Vanska was also canny to speed up some tempos and to keep the texture light. Attempting to imitate the weight of a fuller ensemble would have backfired. The Lahti Chamber Ensemble, pulled from the Lahti Sym., plays expertly, if not in the same virtuoso class as world-famous orchestras. Groop has never been a favorite of mine, and here she displays more than a bit of wobble at times. Her interpretation of the glorious, deeply moving Abschied isn't remarkable. But then, the draw here is Schoenberg's chamber arrangement -- completed later by composer Rainer Rhiem -- and Vanska's sure touch. Very enjoyable."

An Overlooked but Excellent Chamber Version of Das Lied

synergy5 | Northern California | 02/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorite Das Lied's particularly because of the precision and beauty of the chamber ensemble under Vänskä and because of Monica Groop's (a much under-appreciated mezzo) lovely performance. She carries off the demanding 29 minute "Der Abschied" movement with grace, beauty and the intimacy necessary to maintain interest and convey meaning. Jorma Silvasti performs his songs well. While he's not a big-voiced operatic tenor, his tone is clear, appealing and musical in a chamber version that doesn't require a powerful voice. I will revisit this performance many times."