Mahler´s 12 Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn on ARTE

Cleveland´s Severance Hall - One of the most beautiful concert  halls  in the world

Last Sunday, the French-German culture channel ARTE broadcast one of the classical music highlights of the year; Pierre Boulez conducting the Cleveland Orchestra in Mahler´s 12 Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, with the Czech mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená and the German baritone Christian Gerhaher as soloists.

Maestro Boulez has a 45-year relationship with the Cleveland  Orchestra

The concert in Cleveland´s Severance Hall, one of the world´s most beautiful concert halls, was part of the celebration of Boulez´ 85th birthday celebrations, and it also marked the French maestro´s 45-year relationship with the orchestra.

Among all Mahler´s works I myself find the song cycles - particularly Das Lied von der Erde and the above mentioned 12 Des Knaben Wunderhorn songs - most enjoyable.

Christian Gerhaher´s singing was outstanding

Magdalena Kožená was also excellent

The Severance Hall concert does not disappoint on any account. Boulez, the soloists and the orchestra are all in top form, and the end result is pure musical magic. Particularly I enjoyed Christian Gerhaher´s wonderfully emotional, lieder influenced singing.

For those, who did not have a chance to watch the ARTE broadcast the other night, the concert is (together with some other items) available on a blu-ray disc. Strongly recommended!

I noted that some reviewers did not like director William Cozel´s several shots of some decorative details in the Severance Hall. For those - like myself - who are not previously familiar with the wonderful concert hall, these details are most welcome!

Hopefully the pictures below will give you an idea of the beauty of the home of the great Cleveland Orchestra!