Lieder fur Singstimme
Composed
Premieres
- Lied 1: Fruhlingsmorgen, premiere Prague, 18-04-1886.
- Lied 2: Erinnerung, premiere Budapest, 13-11-1889.
- Lied 3: Hans und Grethe, premiere Prague, 18-04-1886. Later version of Lied 3: Maitanz im Grunen (Lieder fur …
In the early years of Mahler’s conducting career, composing was a spare time activity. Between his Laibach and Olmütz appointments he worked on settings of verses by Richard Leander and Tirso de Molina, later collected as Volume I of Lieder und Gesänge (“Songs and Airs”).
- Tirso de Molina is …
The first song in the Mahler collection, “Fruhlingsmorgen” (Spring morning), incorporates text written by Richard Leander. As notated in the piano part, the pianist is encouraged to use the pedals freely in order to produce a full and resonant of a sound. Text: Richard Leander (Richard Volkmann (1830-1889)). Score Gustav …
The second song in the collection, “Erinnerung” (Remembrance), contains text by Richard Leander. Curiously, this song starts in F minor but ends a whole step higher in G minor. This is the only piece in the collection to make this sort of tonal transition. The breath marks 14 follow the …
The third song in the collection, “Hans und Grethe” is a wonderful mixture of waltz-like fervor and sublime self-introspection. Many of Mahler’s early songs provided inspiration for later symphonic works; the opening of “Hans und Grethe” was eventually used in the second movement of his first symphony. The dancelike structure …
The fourth song in the collection was inspired by Tirso de Molina, a poet and Spanish monk. The text from both the “Serenade” and “Phantasie” come from Tirso de Molina’s 1630 play Don Juan. Mahler arranged both songs for voice, harp, and wind ensemble. He indicated breath marks at the end …
The text from both the “Serenade” and “Phantasie” come from Tirso de Molina’s 1630 play Don Juan. Mahler arranged both songs for voice, harp, and wind ensemble. He indicated breath marks at the end of each line of text which fit well textually. If possible, the tubist should consider removing …