Search - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gustav Mahler, Karl Böhm :: Mahler: Symphony No. 1/Rückert-Lieder

Mediocre Ozawa, Nice Bohm

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 03/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With all the great recordings of Mahler's 1st Symphony in the Universal catalog, this was a surprising choice for inclusion in the new "Eloquence" series. In fact, it is mediocre recordings like this that keep people from buying budget line discs in the first place. I will echo the sentiments of the earlier reviewer, and add that one shouldn't confuse crystal clear sound with a solid, passionate performance (although the last movement is good). The gem here, and the reason for a fourth star, is a nice "Ruckert-Lieder" with Fischer-Dieskau and Bohm. Those looking for Mahler 1's should try the Bruno Walter Edition, or better yet the Kubelik DG Originals that offers the same coupling as this release."

The Amazing Maestro Bohm

L. Johan Modée | 06/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have no comment about Ozawa's performance of Mahler's Symphony One. I defer to those remarks already cited by other reviewers. As for Karl Bohm's performance with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau of the four "Ruckert Lieder" on this recording (actually, five lieder make up this group of songs based on poems by Friedrich Ruckert, but for reasons unknown, "Liebst du um Sch?nheit" was not included in this recording), mere words of praise fall pitifully short of the mark in trying to capture the delicate, sensitive, deep beauty and splendor of these performances. To the best of my knowledge, this is one of Bohm's rare recording ventures into the music of Mahler.When released on vinyl back in the 1960s, the "Ruckert Lieder" were paired with the "Kindertotenlieder," also performed by Bohm and Fischer-Dieskau. This was a marvelous LP and was one of my favorite Mahler recordings of all time; hence, I waited patiently (often without much hope) for its eventual transfer to CD. When it was finally released on CD, I was dumbfounded and somewhat enraged to discover that the "Kindertotenlieder" had been replaced by Ozawa's rather lackluster recording of Mahler's first symphony (the marketing gurus at DGG certainly were "out to lunch" when this decision was made). The choice to do this almost qualifies as a capital crime, if not an unforgivable sin. Simply transferring the original LP program to CD would have made this a stellar 5-star reissue.Simply put, you will not find a performance of Mahler's music anywhere that is more grandiose, eloquent, graceful, and mystical as this one. Under Maestro Bohm's baton, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra carries Mahler's supple, serene, and profound sonorities out into the cosmos and beyond. At the end of "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen," listen in awe to the magesterial, wafting orchestral sonics produced by the Berlin Philharmonic as they softly elevate then gently melt away into an all-embracing silence - a beguiling nothingness. Needless to say, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's caressing delivery of these songs radiantly conveys his "becoming one" with the penetrating depth and mystical essence of these rare and precious gems. This CD is worth the price of admission solely for the amazing performances by Bohm and Fischer-Dieskau."

Blumine Bonus

MacGuffin | New York City | 08/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really don't understand on what basis previous reviewers have slagged off on this Ozawa/BPO recording of Mahler 1. I think it's a gorgeous performance, and though not a Mahler scholar, I've heard enough performances/own enough recordings of the first symphony to feel comfortable relying on the evidence of my own ears. I don't think, however, that I'm able to be objective about the inclusion of the Blumine. As another reviewer has observed, Mahler finally eliminated this movement (although I believe it was performed a few times prior to making his final decision), hence it's rarely performed. I'm not sure if it's due to my having heard this symphony for so long without the Blumine that I'm inclined to agree that lovely though it is, it does interrupt the flow but no matter--I'm happy to finally have the basis for forming my own opinion. After all, one can skip the extra movement (which was spliced in from a later performance) or postpone it if they're so inclined.

I have nothing to add to other reviewers' comments about the Ruckert lieder but agreement--this is, after all, Fischer-Dieskau. That one can obtain such great performances--remastered to boot--at such a pittance is a windfall. I own other Mahler 1's that I prefer but not by much. This is one of my favorites and if for some reason it was the only one I could keep, I'd adjust pretty quickly."