Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen & Symphony No. 1

Featuring

Klaus Tennstedt
Thomas Hampson
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Gustav Mahler

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Composer Biography

Gustav Mahler, the composer, was also one of the most celebrated conductors of his era, which limited his time for composition to mainly summer holidays.

Compositional Technique

The First Symphony initially had programmatic titles and an explanatory program drawn from Jean Paul's novel 'Titan', but these were removed by the time of its 1899 publication.

Performer Biography

Thomas Hampson, the baritone, is recognized for his versatility across opera and song, and is one of the most recorded artists of his generation, with numerous awards.

Composition History

Mahler's First Symphony was mostly composed in a six-week creative burst in early 1888 while he was working at the Leipzig Opera.

Performer Biography

Klaus Tennstedt, the conductor, achieved world recognition after moving from East Germany to the West in 1971 and had a special affinity for Mahler's symphonies.

Composition History

Mahler's 'Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen' ('Songs of a Wayfarer') were written after a failed love affair with a singer, with the poems reflecting the protagonist's adversity and solitude.

Recording & Production

Klaus Tennstedt recorded Mahler's Symphony No.1 five times, including three times with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, one of which is this live recording.