greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley) (04/13/84)
I recommend very highly for those interested in Mahler in general, Otto Klemperer as a conductor, and/or the late English contralto Kathleen Ferrier an English Decca issue of a 1951 Holland Festival broadcast of Mahler's 2nd Symphony. I have seen it in several import shops here in the states (I picked it up in England). Although there are some live-performance glitches (occasional poor ensemble, cracked horn notes) the playing of the Concertgebouw is for the most part splendid, proving in fact that the orchestra actually deteriorated later in the 1950's from being an extraordinary one to being a very good one. Klemperer made a very fine recording of the symphony in the early 1960's with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Schwarzkopf and Rossl-Majdan as soloists. That one has, of course, better sound, but this has a forceful grip and vitality that were already gone by the time he made the 2nd recording. There was yet another early studio recording with the Vienna Symphony which I haven't heard, but I can't imagine (based on other recordings with that orchestra) that the playing could have been anywhere near the 1951 Concertgebouw level. (Note: this the Vienna Symphony NOT the Vienna Philharmonic). What will distinguish this recording for vocal enthusiasts are the contralto sections by Kathleen Ferrier. She was caught in glorious voice. Although her singing of the "Urlicht" does not have the subtlety and refinement we've heard since from Janet Baker or Marilyn Horne, the outpouring of sumptuous sound she produces is unique in my experience. The soprano solos are by Jo Vincent (wife of the Concertgebouw's then principal conductor, Wilhelm Mengelberg) and very well done. The recording was made from a tape that had beent transferred from 78 rpm air checks. Considering this, the sound is astonishingly good, giving remarkable presence and body to the orchestral sound as well as doing justice to the voices. Well worth a search. - Greg Paley