MAHLER: DES KNABEN WUNDERHORN - FORRESTER, PROHASKA, VIENNA STATE OPERA ORCHESTRA

Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn

1963 stereo

Maureen Forrester (contralto) & Heinz Rehfuss (bass-baritone)

Vienna Symphony, Felix Prohaska

“For me there are three truly great recordings for consideration. Recordings that, because of the contributions of conductors and singers, stand them head and shoulders above other versions. They are conducted by Wyn Morris, Felix Prohaska and Georg Szell… Felix Prohaska is less well known than his two colleagues, but on the evidence of this recording, where he conducts the fine Vienna Symphony Orchestra on Vanguard, this is a pity. His singers are that highly experienced Mahlerian Maureen Forrester and the little known Heinz Rehfuss, and excellent they are too. Interpretatively this version falls between the Szell and the Morris. Crucially, it assigns one singer to each song and for that scores points in my book. This is the more classical version of the three with less mannerism on the part of the three principals and it really should be looked on as the benchmark recording for those who want to get to know these great songs.” MusicWeb International

Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn (1899 version)
Mahler: Urlicht (Des Knaben Wunderhorn)