The texts for Das Lied von der Erde are based on poems from Hans Bethge's collection Die chinesische Flöte (The Chinese Flute), which were translations of ancient Chinese poems by figures like Li-Tai-Po and Tschang-Tsi.
Composition History
Mahler considered Das Lied von der Erde his 'most personal work,' written during a period of intense grief following the death of his four-year-old daughter, his forced resignation from the Vienna Court Opera, and a diagnosis of a serious heart condition.
Recording & Production
This recording was made in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, a venue renowned for its acoustics, which are partly attributed to a hollow space beneath the stage and stalls acting as an additional soundbox.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Gustav Mahler described Das Lied von der Erde as a 'symphony,' emphasizing that it features a dialogue between the orchestra and singers, rather than just songs with orchestral accompaniment.
Interpretation
Jonas Kaufmann performs all six songs of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, a work typically sung by two different vocalists (tenor and mezzo-soprano/baritone).
Performer Biography
Jonas Kaufmann, the tenor on this recording, was so moved by a Klemperer recording of Das Lied von der Erde that he immediately bought the score and tried to sing the tenor part.
You might also enjoy...
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Bloch: Poèmes d'Automne, B. 33
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn & Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
