Kathleen Ferrier.UM MITTERNACHT.VIENNA.Bruno Walter.1952.Gustav Mahler. Ruckert lieder

In the spring of 1952 in Vienna, the contralto Kathleen Ferrier recorded her famous Mahler's Das Lied Von Der Erde.

A few days later on the 20th of May, to fill the fourth side of the Das Lied recording she returned to the Grosse Musikvereinsaal, used as a recording venue with it's splendid acoustics and sang Um Mitternacht---one of three Ruckert Songs recorded that day, and conducted by her friend and mentor Bruno Walter.

"This was a bad day and she was in great pain". Quoted from 'Kathleen Ferrier. Letters and Diaries', edited by Christopher Fifield.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

The following day Kathleen said Farewell to Bruno Walter a friend of the composer Gustav Mahler, and Farewell to travel abroad.
Her doctors advised her not to travel abroad for twelve months.

In the closing minutes of Um Mitternacht Kathleen Ferrier's voice soars effortlessly towards the sky----outstanding

SUNG in German.
English translation:

At midnight
I was roused
and looked up to heavens;
No star in the entire sky
smiled down upon me
at midnight.

At midnight
I cast my thoughts
out beyond the dark limits.
No vision of light
Brought me solace
at midnight.

At midnight
I was rapt
to the beats of my heart;
One single pulse of pain
welled up
at midnight.

At midnight
I fought the battle,
of your passion, o humankind;
I could not resolve it
with my strength
at midnight.

At midnight
I commended my strength
into your hands!
Lord, over death and life
You keep watch
at midnight!

PHOTOS:
The recording venue--Grosser Musikvereinsaal,Vienna Austria
Bruno Walter conducting orchestra
Bruno Walter on right with his friend and teacher Gustav Mahler.Prague 1908.
Kathleen Ferrier in happier times painting on holiday.
Kathleen Ferrier with her sister Winifred outside Notre Dame,Paris on holiday together.
Kathleen Ferrier visits Bruno Walter in his hotel during the Edinburgh Festival.
1st.January 1953. Kathleen Ferrier photographed at home by the Press on the day it was announced she was to receive the CBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Bruno Walter said following Kathleen Ferrier's death: "THE GREATEST THING IN MUSIC IN MY LIFE HAS BEEN TO HAVE KNOWN KATHLEEN FERRIER AND GUSTAV MAHLER... IN THAT ORDER."

Kathleen Ferrier--Born 1912.Died 1953. Aged 41 years.

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