Category: Mahler: Commentary on His Music

Das Lied von der Erde – Von der Jugend

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Behaglich heiter (comfortably cheerful) Principal Key: B-flat major (with a contrasting sections in G minor and major) Time Signature: alla breve Form: Song form (ABA) Mitten in dem kleinen Teichesteht ein Pavillon aus grünemund aus weissem Porzellan.   Wie der Rücken eines Tigerswölbt die Brücke sich aus Jadezu dem… Continue reading Das Lied von der Erde – Von der Jugend

Das Lied von der Erde – Der Einsame im Herbst

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Etwas schleichend. Ermüdet. (Somewhat lingering, worn out). Key: D minor/major with contrasting sections in B-flat major Time Signature: 3/2 (occasionally altering with 2/2 and 4/2) Form: Strophic with elements of sonata form Herbstnebel wallen bläulich überm See;vom Reif bezogen stehen alle Gräser;man meint, ein Künstler habe Staub von Jadeüber… Continue reading Das Lied von der Erde – Der Einsame im Herbst

Das Lied von der Erde – Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Allegro Pesante (Ganze Takte, nicht schell) (alla breve, not fast) Principal Key: A minor Time Signature: 3/4 Form: Modified Sonata form Schon winkt der Wein im golden Pokale,doch trinkt noch nicht, erst sing ich euch ein Lied!Das Lied vom Kummer soll auflachend in die Selle euch klingen.Wenn der Kummer naht,… Continue reading Das Lied von der Erde – Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde

Das Lied von der Erde – Introduction

Listening Guide   The Work Dates of composition: 1907-1909; published posthumously by Universal Editions, Vienna in 1912Place of composition: Toblach (in the Tyrolian Mountains, then part of Austria, now known as Dobbiaco)Premiere: Munich, 20 November 1911, under the direction of Bruno WalterOrchestration: piccolo, 3 flutes (third doubling with piccolo), 3 oboes (third doubling with English horn), 3… Continue reading Das Lied von der Erde – Introduction

Symphony No.8 In E-Flat Major – Part II – Schluss-Szene Aus Goethes Faust II (Final Scene of Goethe’s Faust II)

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Beginning with Poco adagio and making numerous tempo changes some of which will be mentioned below.Key: E-flat minor (Introduction) with several intermittent key changes and ending in E-flat major.Time Signature: 4/4 with occasional meter shifts.Form: Introduction and combination of sonata elements (Exposition and Development) with variations and strophic forms that incorporate aspects of… Continue reading Symphony No.8 In E-Flat Major – Part II – Schluss-Szene Aus Goethes Faust II (Final Scene of Goethe’s Faust II)

Symphony No.8 In E-Flat Major – Part I – Hymnus: Veni, Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit)

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Allegro impetuoso; etwas gemässigter, immer sehr fliessend (somewhat more moderate, always very fleeting); etwas gehalten (somewhat held back)Key: E-flat major (second theme in D-flat major; third theme in D minor, with excursions into E major and minor, D-flat and A-flat major, etc.)Time signature: 4/4 (with intervening duple and triple meters in the… Continue reading Symphony No.8 In E-Flat Major – Part I – Hymnus: Veni, Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit)

Symphony No.8 In E-Flat Major – Introduction

Listening Guide   The Work Date of composition: summer, 1906; orchestrated in 1907; published by Universal Editions, February 1911.Place of composition: MaierniggPremiere: Munich, 12 September 1910, Mahler conducting. Orchestration: Piccolo (or double as 5th flute), 4 flutes, 4 oboes, English horn; clarinet in E-flat, 3 clarinets in B-flat, bass clarinet in B-flat, 4 bassoons, contrabassoon, 8 horns, 4 trumpets,… Continue reading Symphony No.8 In E-Flat Major – Introduction

Symphony No. 7 In B Minor/E Minor – Fifth Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Allegro ordinario ; Maestoso; Sempre l’istesso tempo; Gemessen! Nicht Schnell! (Measured! Not fast!); Grazioso; Immer noch Tempo II (still in Tempo II), etc.Key: C major (opening briefly in E minor); second subject in A-flat major with occasional ventures into A, G-flat, B-flat and B major and a brief incursion… Continue reading Symphony No. 7 In B Minor/E Minor – Fifth Movement

Symphony No. 7 In B Minor/E Minor – Third Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Schattenhaft. Fliessend, aber nicht schnell, an der Anfangstahten noch etwas zogernd. (Shadowy. Fleeting, but not too fast, the beginning still somewhat hesitant.); etwas flotter (somewhat brisker); klagend (lamenting); PesanteKey: D minor with Trio in D major.Time Signature: 3/4Form: Scherzo and Trio (with Introduction, Coda and sonata-like development sections)