Dorian Recordings

DOR-90322

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Das Lied von der Erde
Chamber orchestra version by Arnold Schönberg (1921)
completed by Rainer Riehn (1983)

The Smithsonian Chamber Players • Santa Fe Pro Musica
Kenneth Slowik, conductor
with
John Elwes, tenor Russel Braun, baritone

TThis recording presents one of the best known works of Gustav Mahler in chamber orchestra arrangements made for use by Arnold Schönberg's “Society for Private Musical Performances,” played by an ensemble whose interpretations owe much to those of Willem Mengelberg, the celebrated conductor of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra and Mahler's most fervent advocate for more than a quarter century.

In the immediate aftermath of World War I, the Federal Republic of Austria was founded, acknowledging the end of the centuries-old empire that had preceded it. At the same time (November 1918), Arnold Schönberg established his brilliant but short-lived Society for Private Musical Performances (Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen), dedicated to performing contemporary music at the highest possible level. …

Tenor John Elwes began his musical career at Westminster Cathedral in London where he was Head Chorister. His musical and vocal education was furthered by the eminent harpsichordist George Malcolm, the then Director of Music. As a boy soloist he had considerable success: from BBC broadcasts and recordings to concerts with conductors such as Benjamin Britten, who dedicated his Corpus Christi Carol to him. Elwes is particularly well known for his sensitive and musical performances. His repertoire is extensive ranging from Monteverdi, Rameau, Bach and Handel to Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Faure and Britten.

One of the most sought-after lyric baritones on the international stage today, Russell Braun performs regularly at the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival, San Diego Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, l'Opera de Paris and the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, appearing in such operas as Eugene Onegin, Les Pecheurs de Perles, Cosi fan tutte, Le Nozze di Figaro, Billy Budd, Pelleas et Melisande, Faust, and Il Barbiere di Siviglia in roles which have also taken him to Hamburg, Toronto, and the Vienna Staatsoper. Mr. Braun's discography features, among others, Schubert's Winterreise with Carolyn Maul, the 2001 JUNO award-winning recording of Apollo e Daphne with Les Violons du Roy on Dorian Recordings.

Das Lied von der Erde
Song of the Earth

1. Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde - 9:05
2. Der Einsame im Herbst - 11:05
3. Von der Jugend - 3:45
4. Von der Schönheit - 7:16
5. Der Trunkene im Frühling - 4:36
6. Der Abschied - 32:14

Dorian Recordings & Dorian Discovery
are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading