This
Naxos release, which usefully gathers together two important Mahler
recordings from the 1940s, is notable for a couple of ‘firsts’.
The performance of Kindertotenlieder was the first recording
on which Bruno Walter and Kathleen Ferrier collaborated; and this
recording of the Fourth symphony was Walter’s first recording
of the work.
The
Kindertotenlieder, produced by Walter Legge for Columbia, was
the idea of Bruno Walter and followed three concert performances
given by him and Ferrier. As the interesting liner notes reveal,
the project was not easy to arrange for conductor, soloist and
orchestra were all contracted to different recording companies.
Happily, these problems were resolved so that this classic account
could be set down. One further pleasing consequence was the quid
pro quo extracted by Decca, Ferrier’s company. They stipulated
that at some future date Walter, a Columbia artist, should make
a recording for them. The result, three years later, was the celebrated
Vienna recording of Das Lied von der Erde.
This
account of Kindertotenlieder is so well known as almost
not to require further comment. The cycle sets poems by Friedrich
Rückert, which treat of infantile mortality. Mahler, who
had lost several siblings in childhood, must have felt great affinity
with the sentiments expressed in the poems, which are very emotional,
occasionally verging on the mawkish. Ferrier’s great achievement
is to sing with consistent and tremendous intensity without ever
over-stepping the boundaries of good taste. She displays great
empathy and her singing is excellent, nay, inspired throughout.
There are some truly elevated passages, such as in the second
song at the words "Ihr wolltet mir mit eurem Leuchten sagen:
wir möchten nah dir bleiben gerne!" (track 2, 2’12"
– 2’ 43").
The
compass of the songs suits Ferrier very well and she enunciates
the text with tremendous clarity. Her understanding of the music
appears complete and that is certainly true also of Walter who
provides her with marvellous support from the VPO. Perhaps the
final song is the most successful of all. The stormy music with
which it opens has great thrust and the rapt coda (track 5, from
3’00") is deeply moving.
This
same recording is also available, as part of a mixed programme
sung by Ferrier, as one of EMI’s Great Recordings of the Century
(EMI 7243 5 66911 2 4). Comparing the two issues I found that
the EMI transfer reported a slightly greater immediacy in the
orchestral sound and there is more ambience round the orchestra.
On both versions Ferrier’s voice, which is quite well forward
of the accompaniment, is well recorded. I have a very slight preference
overall for the EMI sound, which strikes me as having a bit more
richness but the Naxos transfer, from LPs, is perfectly satisfactory
and no one buying the disc will have cause for complaint.
In
his autobiography "Theme and Variations" (1949), Bruno
Walter describes the Fourth symphony as "the idyll among
Mahler’s symphonic dramas" and that’s certainly how he presents
it here. I was able to compare this performance with a 1955 concert
performance with the VPO (Andante 4973) with some interesting
results. In 1955 the first movement is just a bit more easeful
and the little hesitations and instances of rubato in which this
movement abounds seem just a fraction more natural than is the
case in 1945 (though the New York account is also convincing).
In my notes I’ve written "spontaneous but exact" for
the 1955 account; the 1945 version doesn’t quite justify that
verdict but, as I say, it’s still very good in its own right.
In this New York reading the movement flows easily and logically
and the orchestral playing is good. The sardonic scherzo is also
well done and there are particularly good violin, horn and clarinet
solos to enjoy.
This
performance of the slow movement is about the swiftest that I
know though I must say I wasn’t conscious of this at all until
I came to do comparisons later on in the listening process. Walter
plays the movement in 17’28" whereas in 1955 he gave a much
more spacious reading which took 19’57". By comparison the
classic versions by Szell (Sony) and Reiner (RCA) take 18’57"
and 20’52" respectively. Lorin Maazel (Sony) requires 22’31",
surely a bit too much of a good thing? I’m bound to say that I
like Walter’s genial and spontaneous-sounding way with this movement
in 1945 and at no time did I feel that the music was being rushed.
I suspect these comparative speeds may be another instance of
the extent to which interpreters of Mahler have tended to slow
down his music over the years. Two years later Walter set down
a superb account of the Fifth symphony in New York, which took
just 61 minutes. More tellingly, perhaps, the famous Adagietto
lasted a "mere" 7’35" in that recording. Since
Walter knew Mahler well is it not likely that his tempi have some
degree of authenticity?
Having
said that, I’m much less happy with the performance of the finale
which speeds by in just 7’24". I’m inclined to think that
Szell, in his benchmark performance, is a little too spacious
here (10’17") and Reiner’s very persuasive reading lasts
9’37". Walter is much more convincing, I find, in 1955 when
he takes 8’ 14" and everything just seems to have that crucial
little bit more space to breath. Mind you, matters aren’t helped
in 1945 by the soloist, Desi Halban. I’m afraid I find her singing
completely lacking in charm and the element of naiveté,
so vital in this music. Many of her phrases sound snatched and
rushed (though Walter’s fast speed is undoubtedly a contributory
factor as well.) Hilde Güden, who sings for Walter in 1955,
is much to be preferred here as are Judith Raskin (for Szell),
Lisa della Casa (Reiner) and, indeed, Lucia Popp on Tennstedt’s
EMI version. The movement should end in trusting tranquillity
but the last stanza of the poem, and the gorgeous introduction
to it (track 9, from 4’32") sound brisk, even peremptory
here, I’m afraid, whereas in the 1955 all is loving and relaxed.
It’s unfortunate that the finale rather mars what is otherwise
a very enjoyable account of Mahler’s most winning and engaging
symphony.
However,
overall this is a most successful issue. The transfer of the symphony,
again from LP’s, is pretty good (both transfers are the work of
Mark Obert-Thorn) and there are interesting notes by Malcolm Walker.
This is an ideal opportunity for collectors to acquire a classic
account of Kindertotenlieder by a great singer and to experience
the work of one of the finest of all Mahler conductors. A self-recommending
issue.
John
Quinn
*Kathleen Ferrier (contralto);
Desi Halban (soprano)