![Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde & Kindertotenlieder / Debart, Du Clossel, De Rooser, Jossoud, Brua [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JZYRDM2DL.jpg)
Product Description Mahler's classic song cycle, "The Song of the Earth," is presented in a uniquely staged setting. Under the direction of Georges Bessonnet and conductor Dominique Debart, the Bass Normandy Orchestral Ensemble with tenor Vincent De Rooster and mezzo-soprano Helene Jossoud perform this most personal of Mahler's works. Also included is Mahler's "Kindertotenlieder," performed by the Atelier Lyrique et Symphonique du Centre with mezzo-soprano Claire Brua. .com If you're expecting a good old concert performance of Mahler's ode to sorrow, memory, death, and rebirth, be forewarned. What you will see on this disc is a staged version of Das Lied von der Erde. Beginning with the words "When music is for the eyes to see," we are told in a preamble that Mahler has returned from America "pale and ghostly." We watch as the music reveals his inner struggles, torments, and remembrances of his dead children. Is this a good way to go about presenting Das Lied? That's entirely up to you. The performance by the Bass-Normandy Orchestral Ensemble conducted by Dominique Debart is really quite good. A further warning: the music is performed in a transcription for 13 musicians by Arnold Schönberg. This may elicit gasping from purists, but rest assured that the playing is very good, and the quiet moments have a wonderful transparency. Don't be fooled, though: 13 people (no trumpets or trombones, only one percussionist) cannot begin to approach the kind of volume that one traditionally associates with Mahler. The singing by tenor Vincent de Rooster and mezzo-soprano Helene Jossoud is first rate. The interpretation has moments of real sweep and beauty. Also on the disc is the Kindertotenlieder in another arrangement for small forces, this time by the conductor, Amaury du Clossel. This is a traditional performance video, and a rather boring one; the singing by mezzo-soprano Claire Brua is only so-so, and the playing (this time by Atelier Lyrique et Symphonique du Centre) is not good. It might be best to hit that stop button before you get to this part of the disc. -- Seth Krimsky
A**F
The Only Proper Performance of this Work on Blu-ray
I only bought this in desperation after being so disappointed in the other version that's on Blu-ray (see my review under "Sausage Party"). But I'm sure glad I overlooked the technical specs and took a chance on it. This is an old performance from the '80s lipstickedonapig onto Blu-ray with only 2 channel PCM audio. Additionally, the audience is very phlegmy. But this offers what the other modern Blu-ray does not, a correct performance with the songs alternating between male and female voices. The alto voice is pitch-perfect and very soulful. The tenor was actually better in the crappy version but that's a throwaway part anyway. Das Lied von der Erde is really just 5 warm up songs and one masterpiece finale that is sung by the alto. The masterful performance completely shines through the modest audio and poor quality video. This is the very best recording of DLVDE available at this time.
R**A
Why did I buy this?
Curiousity, to begin with. Many years ago I was asked to transcribe the dicarded "Blumine" movement from the first symphony for a dance presentation in NYC. I was to use the same forces that Schoenberg used to transcribe other Mahler works. (My transcription is available through the Theodore Presser Co.) Lacking the full weight of the large orchestra these pieces sound wonderful with these reduced forces, a testament to the greatness of the music above and beyond the orchestral garb that the composer chose. I am not a total Mahler nut as I find much of his symphonic work overblown and bombastic. These two works, however, are among his greatest achievments in my estimation. I could have done without the staging of the "Das Lied" as it appears on this DVD and so prefer the "Kindertotenlieder" which is nicely sung and beautifully played. The mezzo in "Das Lied" is all right but she seems not as confident musically as the tenor is. Had these two performers stood in front of this excellent chamber ensemble and just performed the works I would certainly have given this bargain DVD a full five stars.
M**Y
A fine Das Lied, with variable visuals
The singing in this performance is basically very good. The tenor has a bit of trouble with the magnificent opening song, but quickly gains confidence for the rest of the work. The mezzo never falters. She is top-notch, both in vocal quality, singing and expressiveness. This is a performance of the Schoenberg-Riehn arrangement for a smaller orchestra, and it's very well-played and conducted. As for the staged presentation: it's a mixed bag. This work does not lend itself to dramatic interpretation most of the time so the singers tend to stand or sit and sing, while a few of the stage actions are merely distracting. But that does not take away at all from a generally fine rendition of this incredible masterpiece. Worth a look (and listen) at least once
P**N
excellent
Fine performance
