Gustav Mahler - Urlicht - Kathleen Ferrier

[tmmmviii]

Just discovering Ferrier - she is simply amazing.

Thanks for posting this.

[eddiethompson1]

Better still, listen to Jeanette Ager's interpretation with the London Mozart Symphony on one of the 'related video' links here on Youtube. Unfortunately the comments facility has been disabled, but you can still appreciate a wonderfully sensitive performance of "Urlicht" by a current young English mezzo who deserves to be far better known.

[lakslikeslakes]

listen to the solti recording with chicago mira zakai. better than ferrier!!!!!!!!!

[andreasscholl]

There is NO singer these days that comes near the rendition from Kathleen!

Wonderfull!!!!!!!!!!

[fernandogtoledo]

It's true, she has an imperfect pronounciation, but... what amazing voice! I prefer her poor german with her unique talent.

[betjebehej]

well....her german is allright

[preruminator]

KF seems to have problems with the production of consonants at times.The alveolar plosive in 'Gott' becomes an alveolar lateral.

[Missbasilicum]

Toll! Aber mir scheint, die singt jedes Mal "Gold" statt "Gott" ;-)

[hermx0]

Vielleicht auch nur eine Frage der bescheidenen Qualität der Aufnahme? Aber auch sonst nimmt das nichts von der überwältigenden Qualität dieser absolut berührenden Stimme!

[Klemperer]

I like this version of the "Urlicht" most too. Klemperer is obviously my favourite conductor, and here he just plays with the Concertgebouw to let Kathleen Ferrier shine in full light. An outstanding, haunting "Urlicht". The CD is still available and highly recommended.

[Eilperfeld]

Das ist deutsch durch und durch. Mahler war ein tief deutsch denkender Mensch. Er verstand die deutschen Dichter bzw. verstand es am besten, sie musikalisch umtzusetzen. Ich bin immer wieder ergriffen. Und J. Norman oder K. Ferrier kommen mit der durchaus schwierigen deutschen Sprache gut zurecht. Die ab und zu unrunden Aussprachen machen sie durch volle Empfindsamkeit mehr als wett. Ich schätze sie sehr. DANKE

[Hearnoevil8]

I love this - simple!

[berlinman46]

Kathleen Ferrier enough said!!!

[jayandlaurasmom]

Beautiful. Try watching "Urlicht the Ballet".

[Tonybis]

A great performance by all concerned. The sound of Ferrier's voice is wonderful in itself, but the clarity of her diction coupled with spectacular vibrato brings tears of mingled joy. The solo contributions from the unamed (Concertgebouw?)orchestra are superb, and Klemperer's conveyence of Mahler's wishes leave nothing to be desired. His live version with Janet Baker in 1963 is also great, and in stunning stereo on EMI.

[birgitnilsson]

THis is the voice that best measures pain and need.Yet, this voice overcomes both.

[ticklepint]

Absolutely.

[chopinlover49]

Wonderful. I have not listened to this before. I have several complete sets of the Mahler symphonies but not this ensemble. It will be on my shopping list next at the music store. I adore Kathleen Ferrier and Mahler. Thanks for the inclusion of the text and translation, too!

[135yearswaiting]

What a combination, Ferrier,Mahler and Klemperer. If I go to Heaven hope they are together to play this to me everyday. I am still shaking as I post this reply. When one remembers what the three people concerned suffered during their lives and then are still able to bring us absolute perfection. Perhaps one has to suffer to be great, but that is another question.

[encoberta]

(From my experience, yes.

I have allready one part... now still the other. hahaha)

Oh and I'm loving her. New to me too!

[m0e4g2]

This is heartbreaking, so powerful ,this is a miracle .Thank you so much for the music and the comment which allows the listener to follow the translation.(details like that make me spend more and more time on Youtube .Crafty Kate is absolutly unique.

[lochness11]

Wonderful to hear her singing something with which I'm entirely unfamiliar. We should be truly grateful for any piece from her terribly short career. Her illness was diagnosed in April 1951, but don't know the date of this concert.

[Glenmed]

New to me too. Are we the only ones not to know it! But am very taken with this piece. It shows off the beauty and power of KF's voice and her deep affinity with the words. "ewig selig Leben" is overpowering. I wouldn't say we were obsessive or ghoulish in being aware of her circumstances and bravery towards the end. I have read Gerald Moore's account, which was neither of these epithets.