Happy Birthday!

 

This month, Dame Janet Baker turns 91-years old.

Here is a singer who left the profession gracefully, where she led a long and fulfilling career on her own terms, at least from a listener's perspective.

Dame Janet's voice was always a singular one to me. She had a great range, often tackling contralto literature, but also displaying the top of her mezzo-soprano tessitura with equal ease.

Her tone was wide open for all to hear; never pinched or harried. It was woodsy ala a clarinet, a great compliment if anyone knows my feelings regarding woodwinds. That openness follows her across her range, and it is always a pleasure to hear.

I am actually rather unfamiliar with any stage productions she may have been involved in. As I understand it, she had strict stipulations in her contract for such work. Otherwise, it is her oratorio and lieder work I am most familiar with, particularly when she teamed up with another favorite, John Shirley-Quirk, a powerhouse duo.

How better to celebrate the Birthday Dame than with this live 1970 recording of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde? Baker is well represented on recording in this work - 1970 with George Szell, 1975 with Rudolf Kempe, 1975 with Bernard Haitink, and 1977 with Raymond Leppard. A decade of Das Lied von der Erde, and each have their qualities.

Many will say this is an ultimate rendition of the work, along with Klemperer and Bernstein, but there are a few issues for me. The sound is really good, but then again, there is better. The final movement show the winds straining for a quality tone, but generally the balances are good. Waldemar Kmentt is an unknown to me, but is a nice complement, I think.

Most will point to Dame Janet as the center of success here. Happy Birthday Dame Janet Baker, and may many more find you well!

A review from 2024

This recording of Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde with Rafael Kubelík at the helm is generally regarded as one of the greats, easily sitting with the famous Klemperer and Bernstein.


Such an attribution is a great claim, but my guess is the lauds go to Dame Janet Baker, who incidentally turns 91-years old this month. She is indeed a singer to be reckoned with for her abilities with text, and she avoids pouring syrup all over Mahler’s writing. Baker sings gently, but is responsive to dynamics for emotional impact. I am less familiar with Waldemar Kmentt, but I enjoyed his presence. His voice has a baritonal quality, yet I never found him particularly straining here.


Truth be told, equal plaudits should go to Rafael Kubelík and his Bavarian RSO, for they play this music excellently. This being a live recording from 1970, state of the art sound should not be expected, but it is very, very good. I probably only caught the gentlest of coughs once, and with the orchestra sitting quite forward, this is a rather colorful and exciting capturing of their sound.


I am not sure this is my absolute favorite of this work, but I am sure it represents one of the greats.

 

 Listen on YouTube

 

Works
Das Lied von der Erde

  I. 8.37
 II. 9.34
III. 3.09
IV. 6.38
 V. 4.23
VI. 29.34

Soloists
Janet Baker, alto
Waldemar Kmentt, tenor

Performers
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Rafael Kubelík, conductor

Label: Audite
Year: 1970 / 2002
Total Timing: 62.11

 

 

This live performance came late in 2002 to be rediscovered on record.

It was worth the wait!

 

Find more Mahler recordings HERE!