Das Lied von der Erde

Das Lied von der Erde
A Symphony for Tenor, Alto (or Baritone) Voice and Orchestra
by Gustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler in 1907
KeyA minor - C major
TextFrom Hans Bethge's Die chinesische Flöte
Composed1908 (1908): Toblach
Published1912, Universal Edition
Durationc. 60 minutes
Movementssix
Scoring
  • contralto
  • tenor
  • orchestra
Premiere
Date20 November 1911 (1911-11-20)
LocationMunich Tonhalle, Munich
ConductorBruno Walter
PerformersSara Cahier, William Miller

Das Lied von der Erde (The song of the Earth) is an orchestral work for two voices and orchestra written by Gustav Mahler between 1908 and 1909. Described as a symphony when published, it comprises six movements for a large orchestra and two singers as the soloist alternating in the movements. Mahler specified that the two singers should be a tenor and an alto, or else a tenor and a baritone if an alto is not available.[1]

Mahler composed this work following the most painful period in his life, and the songs address themes such as those of living, parting and salvation. On the centenary of Mahler's birth, the composer and prominent Mahler conductor Leonard Bernstein described Das Lied von der Erde as Mahler's "greatest symphony".[2] As with his later Symphony No. 9, Mahler did not live to hear Das Lied von der Erde performed.

  1. ^ Das Lied von der Erde – Eine Symphonie für eine Tenor- und eine Alt- (oder Bariton-) Stimme und Orchester (nach Hans Bethges Die chinesische Flöte) von Gustav Mahler, Partitur, [The Song of the Earth. A Symphony for tenor and alto (or baritone) voice and orchestra (after Hans Bethge's The Chinese Flute). By Gustav Mahler. Score. Published by Universal Edition 1912.
  2. ^ New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts. Original broadcast 7 February 1960, "Who is Gustav Mahler?"