Lilli Paasikivi - Alma Mahler: Complete Songs (2003)

Though well known throughout Europe as a contralto/mezzo-soprano of distinction, Lilli Paasikivi is too little known in this country and this CD should be heard as an introduction to her high standards of artistry. Yes, she can be heard on other recordings (Mahler's Symphony No. 3 with Zander conducting, a new recording of Sibelius' 'Kullervo', and Stravinsky's 'Mavra' among others), but this recording of the songs of Mahler's wife, Alma Mahler, places her center stage with Jorma Panula conducting the Finnish Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra in his own orchestrations of Alma Mahler's song for voice and piano.

The songs, alas, are not memorable or particularly well composed, but they do hold historic significance. Paasiviki pulls all the at times unfocused passion she can from these works, a feat that allows us to hear the beauty of her voice and the range she so easily traverses from the lowest to the highest register. At a recent performance of Gustav Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Paasikivi proved that she has become a major force in the interpretation of this work. Along with the inordinately gifted tenor Anthony Dean Griffey the two soloists managed to convey the many marvels of this demanding piece and at all times were completely in sync with Salonen's masterful conception and performance of this great Mahler masterpiece. This listener was so captivated with the performance (the Mahler was coupled with a brilliant Hindemith 'Mathis der Maler') that attending two performances was fully justified: Paasikivi was even finer on the second performance, leaving the audience in awe of her subtle phrasing and communication, especially in the closing, repeated 'Ewig, ewig....'.

Forgive the mundane material of this recording and purchase it for the glories of Lilli Paasikivi. It is well worth the investment.