Zum Konzert am 8. November 1968 in New York
Aufbau, New York, Datum unbekannt
Am selben Abend: Karajan und Bernstein
New Yorks Lincoln Center – ein Supermarkt der Künste
[...]
Das Lincoln Center wurde von Mischa Elman als Supermarkt der Künste bezeichnet, und kürzlich nannte es Igor Strawinsky mit einiger Verachtung en "durch Bankiers, Börsenmakler und Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende kompromittiertes Kunstgetto." Wo in aller Welt könnte man am gleichen Abend ein Opernhaus nach dem ersten Akt verlassen und sich unterirdisch in einen Konzertsaal begeben, rechtzeitig (nach Schluß eines Liederabends) auf demselben Weg zum dritten Akt der Oper zurückgelangen – und auf dieser "Tour" nicht nur Karajan als Regisseur und Dirigent, sondern auch Leonard Bernstein erstmals in New York als Klavierbegleiter Dietrich Fischer-Dieskaus erleben? Die beiden Künstler, die wie der große und der kleine Klaus das Podium der Philharmonic Hall betraten, boten zugunsten des Kinderhilfswerks der Vereinten Nationen (UNICEF) einen Mahler-Abend, dessen Programm die "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen", fünf Gesänge aus "Des Knaben Wunderhorn", vier Rückert-Lieder und sechs "Einzelgesänge" (darunter "Erinnerung" und "Zu Straßburg auf der Schanz") enthielt. Die Vortragskunst Fischer-Dieskaus und die auffallend gezügelte Begleitung Bernsteins kamen in den sonst hauptsächlich Mezzosopran- und Altstimmen vorbehaltenen Liedern zu schöner Geltung. Befremdend war, daß auf dem Podium zwei Mikrophone (für eine Rundfunkaufzeichnung) installiert waren, die manche kräftigen f-Töne Fischer-Dieskaus durch krasse Lautverstärkung entstellten.
R. B.
New York Times, 9. November 1968
Fischer-Dieskau Offers Mahler
Baritone is Accompanied by Leonard Bernstein
By any standard one could apply, the concert at Philharmonic Hall last night was a major musical event. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Leonard Bernstein appeared together to present a program of songs by Mahler, and you can hardly get more major than that.
Mr. Fischer-Dieskau is the leading male lieder singer of the day, Mr. Bernstein is a world-renowned conductor-pianist who specializes in the music of Mahler, and Mahler’s music seems to be attracting more and more attention and respect with every passing moment just now.
Since Mr. Fischer-Dieskau has been giving a series of lieder recitals at Carnegie Hall, his appearance last night was not a novelty for the season, but Mr. Bernstein’s was. He seldom appears as pianist these days, and when he does it is usually as soloist with the New York Philharmonic.
For him to appear as accompanist for a singer in a full recital was extraordinary. The thing that seemed to have encouraged him to do so was that the event was given as a benefit for the United Nations Children’s Fund.
UNICEF should benefit handsomely, for Philharmonic Hall was filled. Fortunately, all those who were not there will have opoportunities to hear the performances later. Next Saturday, radio station WQXR will broadcast a taped recording of the concert at 8 P.M. In addition, the interpretations have been recorded by Columbia Records for future release.
The program consisted of 19 songs - a miscellaneous group of six that are infrequently sung, the four of "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen," a group of five from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" and four of the Rückert-songs.
At the outset, Mr. Bernstein’s playing seemed almost timid, and it remained subdued throughout the first group. This focused undivided attention upon Mr. Fischer-Dieskau, who was certainly capable of holding it with the imagination and vividness of his interpretations.
Nevertheless, everything seemed more satisfying when, with the very beginning of the "Lieder eines fahren Gesellen," Mr. Bernstein dug into the piano a bit more deeply and asserted himself more strongly in the music-making.
Among the outstanding interpretations of the evening were "Ich ging mit Lust" and "Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft." In each, Mr. Fischer-Dieskau created a mood of quiet and tender love that was almost breathtaking in its delicateness. In the second of these, especially, Mr. Bernstein’s playing was beautifully poised and lyric.
Mr. Bernstein, along with the baritone, also has particularly good moments in the humor of "Um schlimme Kinder artig zu machen." And who could wish for a finer performance of "Die zwei blauenAugen"?
It was, all in all, a richly rewarding evening of music-making by two of the busiest and most sought-after performers today. It was our good fortune that they managed to get together here to honor Mahler, UNICEF and us all at the same time.
Allen Hughes