MAHLER : Symphonie Nr. 9 (BBC Symphony Orchestra · Bruno Maderna) (2006) Serie BBC Legends | APE (image+.cue) lossless

A leading light of the postwar avant-garde in Europe, Bruno Maderna is chiefly remembered as one of the most important serialist composers of the 1950s and '60s. Yet Maderna's career as a conductor should not be overlooked since it was in this capacity that he established his reputation, presenting not only the newest modernist works but also masterpieces of the early years of the twentieth century. Gustav Mahler's symphonies were prominent in Maderna's repertoire, and it's not unreasonable to say that they became an obsession for him in the final years of his life. The Symphony No. 9 in D major was a favorite, and Maderna's love for this music is apparent in his surprisingly romantic interpretation with the BBC Symphony, recorded live in March 1971. One might expect a clinical reading from such a notable twelve-tone theorist and composer, but as a conductor, Maderna was all heart: intensely emotional in expression, liberal with rubato, flexible with dynamics, and utterly preoccupied with shaping long melodic lines into nearly operatic outpourings. This is not revisionist Mahler, carefully researched and fastidiously rendered to follow the composer's intentions to the letter, but Mahler as performed in the wake of the boisterous 1960s revival, full of grotesque exaggerations and histrionics, and with scarcely a thought for authenticity. As a result of his extremely subjective interpretation, Maderna's Mahler may not suit contemporary tastes; and because of the continuous tape hiss that mars this performance, those who can only enjoy all-digital studio recordings will find this CD hard to enjoy. However, this is a fascinating document of Maderna's conducting style, and collectors of important historical recordings will find great value in this package. Blair Sanderson    Tracklist & Credits :

MAHLER : Symphony Nº9 (Maderna) (2006) FLAC (tracks), lossless

KATHLEEN FERRIER - EDITION BOX SET (2004) 10CD / DECCA / Mp3

Although her career was tragically short, Kathleen Ferrier was among the most famous English singers of the twentieth century. Her contralto voice -- a rarity in itself -- was characterized by a firm, warm tone that found its expressive niche in the great works of oratorio and art song, as well as in her two operatic roles (only two!): Lucretia in Britten's The Rape of Lucretia and Orfeo in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice.

Born in Lancashire on April 22, 1912, Ferrier studied the piano with great success as a child and intended a concert career; her concurrent vocal studies were considered more recreational in nature. In her mid-20s, however, after taking two first prizes at the 1937 Carlisle Festival -- one for piano and one for singing -- she made the decision to pursue singing as her vocation. She studied with J.E. Hutchinson in Newcastle upon Tyne, then with Roy Henderson in London.

During the years of WWII Ferrier toured widely in England, gaining a reputation as an especially fine concert artist. She joined the Bach Choir in London, and was alto soloist for a 1943 performance of Handel's Messiah at Westminster Abbey. Benjamin Britten first put her on the operatic stage at Glyndebourne on July 12, 1946, in the premiere of his chamber opera The Rape of Lucretia. She then toured with the work throughout England and appeared on an historic recording of major extracts from the work conducted by the composer. Britten would later compose the alto part in his Canticle No. 2 for her.

She appeared in the United States for the first time in Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde with the New York Philharmonic and Bruno Walter; her subsequent recording of the work -- also under Walter's direction -- remains a classic. Walter also appeared as her accompanist in lieder recitals in Edinburgh and London. Another of Ferrier's notable successes was the part of the Angel in Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius.

In February 1953, Covent Garden staged Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice specifically for Ferrier, who was deemed ideal for the part of Orpheus. However, she was able to appear in only two of the scheduled four performances because of weakness caused by her already advanced cancer. These were her last appearances; she died in London on October 8, 1953. Before she died she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.  by Rovi Staff

Tracklist

CD01 Gluck - Orfeo ed Euridice

CD02 Bach St Matthew Passion

CD03 Kathleen Ferrier

CD04 Schumann-Brahms-Schubert

CD05 Chausson-Brahms-Ferguson-Wordsworth-Rubbra-Kathleen Ferrier

CD06 Purcell-Handel-Bach-Wolf-Stanford-Warlock

CD07 Historical Recordings 1947-1952

CD08 Blow the Wind Southerly - Traditional Songs

CD09 Bruno Walter - The Legendary Edinburgh Festival

CD10 Mahler-Brahms

KATHLEEN FERRIER - EDITION BOX SET

 [2004] 10CD / DECCA / CBR320 / scans

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