Erwin Stein's arrangement of Mahler's Symphony No. 4 was intended for Arnold Schoenberg's Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen, an association founded in 1918 to promote modern music in conservative Vienna.
Compositional Technique
Mahler's Symphony No. 4 features a reduced orchestration and a quasi-chamber texture, notably lacking trombones, tuba, and chorus found in his previous symphonies.
Composition History
Mahler's Symphony No. 4, begun in 1899 and finished in 1900, was initially conceived as a modest 'Humoresque' and later planned as a six-movement work.
Performer Biography
Barbara Hannigan, the soprano and conductor on this album, has premiered over 85 new creations and won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album.
Interpretation
All works on this album are presented in special arrangements for chamber ensemble, with Berg's songs expanded and Mahler's Symphony No. 4 reduced.
Performer Biography
Barbara Hannigan created the mentoring initiative Equilibrium Young Artists in 2017 and Momentum: Our Future Now in 2020 to support younger professional musicians.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live at De Doelen in Rotterdam in spring 2021, originally for streaming, to an empty hall during the pandemic.
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