This has just a gorgeous performance of "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" - the most beautiful artsong ever composed. I also really like Von Otter in the "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen". I think that Gardner really captures the "sharp knife stab" feel - right from the very start - in the third song: "Ich hab ein gluhend Messer".
My only, ONLY complaint is - once again - a very minor one. In "Um Mitternacht", Garnder sounds a bit unsure of what to do with Mahler's somewhat dissonant, bizarre sounding climax. Both Bernstein and Boulez do a better job of "grabbing the bull by the horns", if you will - but only at this one spot. Everywhere else, Gardiner sounds very idiomatic and self-assured. I wish that both Gardiner and Harnoncourt would give Mahler's first symphony a shot.
Anyway, I really like this disc. However, I really don't care much about the Zemlinsky songs included
Barry
Topic: revist: "LEFG" & "5 Ruckert Songs" w/Von Otter; J.E. Gardiner (DG) (Read 6932 times)