Yes, yes, yes: this is what
Mahler is supposed to sound like. Both of these performances -- the "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" from 1991 and the "First Symphony" from 1985 -- are exciting even thrilling, frightening even terrifying, ecstatic even transcendent. Coming out of nowhere in the early '80s, East German conductor Klaus Tennstedt turned out to be one of the great Mahler conductors of his time, a time cut short by his early death, and here with the
London Philharmonic he creates performances that match the greatest ever made. Tennstedt's "First" starts with impetuous youth and reckless passion, moves through sarcastic sentimentality and ironic morbidity, and ends with heroic striving and romantic triumph. With the supremely sensitive American baritone
Thomas Hampson, Tennstedt's "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" starts with impetuous youth and reckless passion, moves entirely without sarcasm and irony through sentimentality and morbidity, and ends with rage, despair, and death. The London Philharmonic, an orchestra that has been known to perform with merely professional competence for conductors members didn't like, adored Tennstedt and played for him like people's lives depended on it. Recorded by the BBC in rich, deep vivid sound, this disc should be heard by anyone who loves Mahler's "First" or "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen."
