Deryk Barker:

>However: Das Lied underrated and neglected? Many people consider it
>Mahler's greatest work and many people who do not like Mahler's symphonies
>consider it his *only* great work.

I think the consensus today is that "Das Lied" is definitely to be counted
among the symphonies (between 8 and 9).  In many ways the "Abschied" is a
prelude in spirit to the 9th symphony.

Regarding the performances mentioned I would like to draw attention
to the Walter/Ferrier not the famous studio Decca but to the Naxos live
performance from 1948 (Ferriers's debut in the U.S).  Of course the sound
is a problem, however it improves and is quite good in the "Abschied".
Ferrier's performance here is absolutely outstanding.

David Rothstein