Gustav Mahler, primarily known for his symphonies, also wrote intimate Lieder (songs) that often contained musical elements later found in his symphonies.
Composition History
Dmitri Shostakovich's 'Two Fables' (Op. 4), composed when he was 16, were not publicly performed until a year before his death.
Composition History
Mahler's early songs, written between 1880 and 1889, were heavily inspired by the collection of mock-folk poetry called 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'.
Composer Biography
Arnold Schoenberg, unlike many of his students, had a sympathetic view towards popular music and wrote lighthearted cabaret songs for the 'Überbrettl' cabaret.
Performer Biography
Mezzo-soprano Virpi Räisänen transitioned to singing after a successful career as a violinist, even creating a project called VIULAJA where she sings and plays the violin simultaneously.
Compositional Technique
Alban Berg set Theodor Storm's poem 'Schließe mir die Augen beide' twice, 18 years apart, with the later version (1925) using atonal intervals to suggest emptiness.
Composer Biography
Alban Berg's early solo songs impressed Arnold Schoenberg, who then took Berg on as a pupil.
