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Taking stock: Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 1:44 pm
by fergus
Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn is a song cycle that I like not only for its intrinsic musical value but also for the way in which parts of it found their way seamlessly into some of the Mahler symphonies.

My collection comprises:

Bernstein / New York Philharmonic sung by Ludwig / Berry [CBS]
Herreweghe / Orchestre des Champs-Élysées sung by Connolly / Henschel [Harmonia Mundi]
Morris / London Philharmonic Orchestra sung by Baker / Evans [Decca]
Prohaska / Vienna State Opera Orchestra sung by Sydney / Poell [Philips]
Rattle / City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra sung by Keenlyside [EMI]
Suitner / Staatskapelle Berlin sung by Lorenz [Berlin]
Szell / London Symphony Orchestra sung by Schwarzkopf / Fischer-Dieskau [EMI]

I also have Fischer-Dieskau singing a selection accompanied by Barenboim on piano but I prefer the orchestrated versions.
Are there any essential versions missing from the above list?
What recommendations would you make?

Re: Taking stock: Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 10:00 pm
by Seán
Fergus, I have the Szell / Schwarzkopf / Fischer-Dieskau and I love it.

Szell / London Symphony Orchestra sung by Schwarzkopf / Fischer-Dieskau [EMI]

Re: Taking stock: Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 10:29 pm
by fergus
Seán wrote:Fergus, I have the Szell / Schwarzkopf / Fischer-Dieskau and I love it.

I was lucky enough to find a vinyl copy of that some time ago Seán and I also have it on CD.

Re: Taking stock: Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:54 am
by Ciaran
Some other nice versions:

Oelze/Volle/Gurzenich Orchestra/Stenz on the Oehms label: I think this version is really special, and the recorded sound is excellent.

von Otter/Quasthoff/Berlin Phil/Abbado. DG

Barbara Bonney, Matthias Goerne, Sara Fulgoni, Gösta Winbergh/Concertgebouw/Chailly. Phillips

Re: Taking stock: Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 6:07 pm
by fergus
Ciaran wrote:Some other nice versions:

Oelze/Volle/Gurzenich Orchestra/Stenz on the Oehms label: I think this version is really special, and the recorded sound is excellent.

von Otter/Quasthoff/Berlin Phil/Abbado. DG

Barbara Bonney, Matthias Goerne, Sara Fulgoni, Gösta Winbergh/Concertgebouw/Chailly. Phillips

Thank you for that Ciaran. I will certainly investigate your recommendations.