Kathleen Ferrier - Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen

[tmmmviii]

This is truly sublime.

[sfkcbf]

Mahler's vocal music requires a very dark voice, often a baritone; however, Kathleen Ferrier's is so rich and dark, and her performace so beautiful, that the listener can not help but be deeply moved. Well worth saving to Favorites and sharing with friends.

[SuperJohnnykay]

A low contralto,is it a rare voice?The only one I can think of in todays lineup is the french girl,Nathalie Stutzmann.There are loads of lyrics,dramatics, mezzos but the deep, rich sound of a contralto doesnt seem to have flowed into c21. If you know of others please let me knowjk

[OlDoinyo]

@SuperJohnnykay Ferrier was more a spinto high contralto rather than a real basement contralto such as Clara Butt. High contraltos are not really rare, but appear so since these days most try to develop their upper range and market themselves as mezzos (more career possibility there.) Basement contraltos (who can sing baritone G) are truly rare; Sonia Prina is the only current example I know.

[zamyrabyrd]

@OlDoinyo I have never heard of a spinto high contralto but for sure Ferrier had a special timbre and the soul to go with it. The accompaniment (Walter?) is delicate and well-paced enough not to have her take a sneak breath before "gekommen" like some other singers do. This must be the gold standard for this particular song by Mahler. And you're right about basement contraltos who can go down to an A, a tenth below middle C - they are truly rare. I doubt Ferrier could reach such a note.

[shaun20483]

Thank you

[bigmouthfrog2009]

Does anyone know why Ferrier's performance of Land of Hope and Glory was removed? Is there another site where I can hear her sing this and perhaps download it? Any help will be appreciated since it is such a glorious performance.

Perhaps there was a good reason for removing it, but it seemed to me the height of selfishness to deprive all of us of this beautiful rendition.

[wkhhh]

Thank God for recordings. We have a sample of Ferrier's magnificent voice.

Thanks for posting.

[sdegrace]

You're right. When my son died I listen to the Kindertotenlieder alone and it was this going on.

[draganoid123]

She was a beautiful mezzo soprano

[saxandme]

I can understand why the Lord took this angel so soon...

[quagapp]

@saxandme Cancer is completely random - no Lord took I am afraid - but she died bravely.

[operarus33184]

Ferrier. Possessed of an inner quietude that is at once singular and awe inspiring. We are each of us, living and dead, so grateful for the sound of a voice.

[51valo]

Une voix profonde, une interpretation historique, eternelle. Merci Madame Ferrier

[danieldedaldo]

She is to altos as Cesare Siepi is to basses! Gracie! Maraviglioso!

[Annabella1986]

The beauty of this song is so painful to me

[hermx0]

Just listened to this again...

What a rare congenial coincidence of talent - composer, conductor and this incredible touch of Ferriers interpretation and voice!

[Miracle67]

Thank you really very much for post it, and thank you also for post the wonderful german text together with the translation.

[dertanzendefuchs]

Thank you so much! Just divine!

[CurzonRoad]

* * * * *

Thank you!

[schlusnus]

Hi Gav64...Isuggest above all..Brahms Alto Raph:

then Das Leid Mahler, and Kindert:

Messiah,Elijah.........all by Kathleen Ferrier.

She also sang a wealth of folk songs..all well recorded.

[OlDoinyo]

***scrapes jaw off floor***

***remembers to start breathing again***

(!!!!!)

[Gav640]

I'm just becoming familiar with lieder music, but I already love this piece! This is sung so beautifully. I was also very pleased with Miss Jessye Norman's interpretation. Does anyone have any suggestions about other wonderful pieces I should look for?

[Memale2009]

Have a look for the interpretations of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf- she sang Mahler too.

[vkaminsky]

I assume you are familiar with the Kindertotenlieder; Ferrier does a tremendous job on them also (can be seen on youtube).

[fzielhorst]

@Gav640 Maybe if you like this you should also listen to Strauss - Four Last Songs, Ravel - Sheherazade, Berg - Sieben Fruhe Lieder and Mahler- Kindertotenlieder (this last one by Ferrier and Bruno Walter)

[cuervojuan]

Schubert's lieder are beautiful. I'm not an expert myself but I suggest you listen to them sung by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, his interpretations are so emotional, I love them. Christa Ludwig is also wonderful.

[helenequenel]

difficile de chanter après..

[baronjohna]

It is not just the voice, which is beautiful in itself, but the raw emotion within that still shocks listeners after all these years! There are many singers and artists who interpret this particular piece but .... this is the sound of a soul singing.

[jabberwockygirl]

I've never heard a singer that is so touching, I can't explain it. Her emotion is so honest

[Jinxnolan]

What an extraordinary out of world voice Kathleen Ferrier had. Such a short career. Wonderful recording here.

[younglemeshevist]

Brilliant singer!

[Elisabetta611]

"The voice of suffering" they called her....and it's so true! The La Divina of Kunstlieder!

[schlusnus]

Embenad:

Beautifully written and so true what insight into two

such gifted folks, not forgetting the Vienna Phil:

Many thanks and to violinthief who makes music.

[alejandra379]

This lied always makes me cry... because it allows me to understand so many things...

[embenadorfinearts]

Extemporal interpretation between K. Ferriers voice and B.Walter with the Vienna. It is the utmost touching musical moment without the pitfalls of being sentimental. A creation (not a re-creation) with breathing music feelings and a memorable dialogue between the orchestra and the contralto. Ferriers diction which permits to understand each word is incorporating musical accents towards voice coloration, musical notes and complete words and give a marvelous tension and dynamic to Mahler.

[cavendishable]

indépassable. The voice!

[summerstwilight]

This is so cruel. Why did the world have to lose this beautiful angel so soon? Thank you for posting this, violin. So charming, so lovely.

[trannel9988]

the best recording ever... even better than Bjorling and Merril

[samdrophy]

This is one of my favorite lieder of all time and I wish people would stop making these silly comparisons. Ferrier, Forrester, Ludwig, Baker, etc... they are all unique and special in their own ways and it's not some sort of competition.

[coloxgz]

me siento frustrada yo quiero saber que significa lo que ella canta :(

[sebreathnach]

Beautiful poem... pensive song...reflective occasion. Ferrier , for good or ill, had become the aching echo of these things... . Thank you very much for sharing!

[muekam]

such a warm,gentle voice...not overdressed, not arty , just touching me so much.

[Sush108]

The music and the performance both are sublime.

[boundsie99]

Wow

[fluffaholic]

The sublime Kathleen Ferrier...my favourite English singer.

[Lanark8]

It is not a song about sadness or being dead; it is a song about being so intensely committed to the love of an idea or thing or action that one loses touch with the world. If you think that this is a lugubrious, rather than serene and blissful sentiment. Thank God.

[Rattywotin]

I don't think Ferrier can be touched on this one but I think Baker and Barbarolli come a close second!!

[budanbahuidl]

Oh my god, this is better then Seefried's interpretation... WOW, what an artist!

[Rattywotin]

A true contralto was born and died with Kathleen, how can you fail to be moved by her sincerity and her technique, especially with Mahler and Brahms

[contediluna1970]

Sadness through beauty and beauty through sadness. Walter used to say that Mahler himself would have approved Ferrier's singing.

[voce29]

Transcended to a different dimension!!

[Raintimes]

i love this song ! :)

[Snemcher]

Pure, genuine beauty. Aside from Walter and her German pronunciation - Pears had similar problems with the vocal colour of that language - I never heard another REAL contralto voice since her death. Never.

[becjesus]

aunque haya gente que considera a Mahler como superficial esta es una obra de infinita belleza y profundidad como toda la obra de este personaje el mas reelevante de este el arte mas bello de todos

[mlkoln]

Die Ferrier singt dieses Stück in dieser ergebenen Schlichtheit einfach wunderbar. Und nimmt schon mit der ersten Textzeile das gesamte Lied vorweg.

Aber das Lob kann nicht nur ihr alleine gelten: Bruno Walter muß mit einem Ohr an ihren Lippen gehangen haben, als er das Orchester führte ...

Ein Solist kann nur so gut sein wie die Begleitung.

Ob man die Stimme der Ferrier mag oder nicht - dies ist meines Erachtens die beste und ergreifenste (mit bekannte) Interpretation!

[cleareyedwolf]

This Lied is just so incredible...

[neronnenn]

She was more than a singer, I think she was the Goddess of the Music....:)

[Lohengrin]

i agree... one of the most exceptional musicians of all times

[hermx0]

How could anyone sing such a text in the face of ones own death?

"I am lost to the world ... I live alone in my heaven, In my love and in my song!"

And then again, how could anyone else sing it with such authenticity?!

Dear Kathleen, I wish you are not alone!

[Lemco2003]

Jose van Dam,

He did it in the same touching way.

You need to be familiarly with the dead to perform this song and to touch people.

[PhillipLWilcher]

Such resignation beyond all despair - and yet with a song so intimately wrought as this, all seems so very right with the world.

And the singer - Kathleen Ferrier - not only so elegant in her execution, but elegant in both her look and name. To use so many words here when no word exists to describe this truly indescribable beauty. It makes me weep and wonder....

[Galiah13]

Real contralto voice which expresses not just Mahler, but LATE Mahler with all his sorrow and sweetness, philosophy and dream...

[Elisabetta611]

The voice of human suffering....so utterly moving!

[VoyArrasando]

Absolutely moving, The best rendition of this particular piece of lieder, Madame Ferrier brings to this piece a haunting yet sincere and honest interpretation of the beauty of music and love in her life and the acceptance of death. Brava Kathleen Brava

[Trinite33]

Exquisite.

[Hearnoevil8]

The text is so touching and Ferrier's forthrightness and earthiness make it so moving!

[zava0]

What a smile. What a voice. What a person.

[alejandra379]

that beautiful dark yet melodious voice... effortless... she was Mahler's voice, no doubt about it...

[2ManyHighCs]

This is beyond amazing. Does anyone else hear what it is to as part of the ensemble? She is a master. . . she breathes with them, rises with them, the ebb the tide. What an ARTIST !! "

[sandymouthbay]

Absolutely great... out of this world!

[nordaustreet]

Kathleen Ferrier had the most beautiful voice of all times!

[goldenagepianist]

it makes me cry...

[Webby08xxx]

so very beautiful, thanks for posting for us all to enjoy xxx

[andyb2707]

A great interpretation and benchmark recording.

[nosowisewoman]

holy moly....

[mourrtii]

merveilleux

[xuhenryca]

我，弃绝尘世

[Xtrakoolness]

i loveeeeeeeee contraltos... omg this is so rich.. and yet so delicately placed

[Lohengrin]

masterpiece of poetry, music, singing and vocal colorising

[yuehchopin]

我哭了

[nomadowl]

Pure sadness and beauty.

[Elisabetta611]

Unvergessen! Die Königin der Mahler Lieder!

[willrobinson1229]

My God, how beautiful! How moving, how deep, and how true. Thank you for posting this.

[birgitnilsson]

Once in a lifetime, perhaps, comes along a supreme voice within a supreme artist. This was ( and still is) ours.From the bottom of my heart and soul, thank you K.F., thank you violinthief.

[lagnaha]

Lovely but listen to Seefried.

[DivaDeb1234]

Another amazing Mahler song...

Sung by the best....

[violinthief]

"Kathleen Ferrier's performance in Das Lied remains among the deepest and happiest experiences of my musical life. The lovely timbre of her voice moved me as hardly any other sound has. And she had a soul as well as a voice. That soul knew and resounded the very soul of Mahler's work. I have often thought how much it would have meant to him to hear the profound understanding in her performances." Bruno Walter

[tosca333scarpia]

Thank you so much. I lent my two recordings of Ferrier and they were not returned. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed hearing that gorgeous voice again.

[tosca333scarpia]

Do you have any recordings of her British art songs? I would love to hear them again.

[dherrington]

This piece is best sung for baritone down to true bass.  She did fine however.

[MunichGermany]

I LOVE KATHLEEN FERRIER's VOICE! Do not get me wrong. Probably because she was alt (lowest vocal range) that any native german speaker will have difficulty understanding every word she sang. Janet Baker's diction in german maybe flawless, but Ferrier's voice was far more magical. Ferrier is for me the best alt ever which Europe has produced. No doubt about that. I weep listening to her Mahler's recordings. The quality of her voice was perfect for Mahler.

[tosca333scarpia]

I had the rare pleasure of hearing her in recital. Her interpretation of lieder and of English art songs and arrangements of English folksongs made a deep impression on my mind and influenced me more than any other singers [I am a mezzo]. Her pp were superb.

[MunichGermany]

her voice was magical. her german diction was horrible.

[ChantHappy]

Larmes chaque fois que j'écoute cette grande dame

Merci infiniment

[jerzkid87]

haunting isnt she

[arnimkopp]

reminds me of "once upon a time in the west"

[chopinlover49]

The famous conductor Bruno Walter said the two greatest experiences of his life were meeting Kathleen Ferrier and Gustav Mahler. No one can dispute that Kathleen Ferrier was a lovely, moving singer. I feel she was the finest contralto of the recorded era. It is mankind's loss that she died so young and left behind so few recordings.

[ravenhairedavi]

I heard the faint echo of this song in the movie coffee & cigarettes, two old guys were talking about joie de vivre and looking very tired, on a break from work. It was one of the most beautiful moment in films for me. Usually I´m not a big opera fan, but now I really don´t know why. Such beauty.

[savagebear54]

Breathtaking and absolute in emotional intelligence, superb.

[heiliggluhendherz]

Rückert & Mahler together forever in our hearts: Loneliness & isolation ..and nevertheless, such so tender & deep love.

Beautiful Kathleen Ferrier.

[enchul]

ive got the urge to listen to her for a pianist lady playing prokofiev (not at risk) suggested. this record is golden ! i ll bring my hourses back home for x-mas :) and they can fly too :) so watch out for extra candies :)

[nibelungensohn]

No one can touch her Mahler except maybe Fischer Dieskau but that's a different ball game.

[soulcountertenor]

Does anyone else think Jessye Norman sounds so much like her(KF)? I find their timbres very similar. Anyway, I've been a fan of Jessye's for years and now I have found another artist to love. Thank God for this one.

[mrrk]

Perfect. I'm not a great lieder lover , but with such a performance as this you cant but stop & listen. Magic.

[ticklepint]

Walter might well have been right.(vide'violinthief')

Listen, and weep.

[Dzhendobri]

thanks for posting this; I had not heard this before, very nice to hear something 'new' it is as though she is present !

RIP

Cheers.

from,

del-boy.

[rayrac]

What a beautiful sound. If there is no life after death, then we must enjoy it now. But perhaps God heard her down here and felt possessive?

Can't blame him!

[sabibu]

I am crying...

[billyguns2]

Mahler, Ferrier, Bruno Walter, and the Vienna Philharmonic, all completely immersed in this music; sublime is an understatement. Thank you so much for posting this treasure. One really deeply feels this music in their performance.

[kavamu77]

Kathleen Ferriers voice touches youre heart

[lochness11]

Wonderful.I've been a KF fan all my life, I haven't heard this before. I must have been sleeping! To complement this look at my 'Um Mitternacht'. What a voice, Bruno Walter and Kathleen could have made the most wonderful music together, had she lived. Southwark Cathedral in London was full, with people standing out on the main road,blocking the traffic, during the Memorial Service, December 1953.People just couldn't believe she had died.She was singing on our radios every day.

[violinthief]

Hmm - your "Um Mitternacht" went up just two days after mine.  But the more the merrier! And yes, Ferrier was very special. Walter said that the two greatest musical experiences in his life were knowing Ferrier and Mahler, in that order.

[caribbeanorchid]

When I grow up I want to be Kathleen Ferrier.

[soklits]

stunning, beautifull,what more can you say about this womans golden voice.

[slowmovement]

hearing her singing this incredible song i subscribe to the title with whole my heart.

[cuzinkevin]

Sung with so mutch emotion truly beautiful a rear treat

[jazzfanjohn]

SUBLIMISSIME then.

[embenadorfinearts]

SUBLIME IS NOT ENOUGH ! MUSICALLY, VOCALLY EMOTIONALLY UNPARALLELD. Thank you for posting it !