The Wunderhorn Years
Donald Macleod explores Mahler's youthful fascination with the anthology of German folk poetry, Des Knaben Wunderhorn.
Donald Macleod explores Mahler's youthful fascination with the anthology of German folk poetry, Des Knaben Wunderhorn.
Gustav Mahler rose from humble beginnings on the fringes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to become one of the most powerful figures in the musical establishment. Nowadays his symphonies are almost guaranteed to fill concert halls, but during his lifetime Mahler made his name as a conductor.
Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Youth's Magic Horn) was a major influence on Mahler's early songs and symphonies. Mahler loved its mixture of realism and fantasy, of the commonplace and the extraordinary, the tragic and the humorous.
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Music Played
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Gustav Mahler
Symphony no. 4 in G major for soprano and orchestra - 4th movement
Singer: Dame Sarah Connolly. Orchestra: Orchestre des Champs‐Élysées. Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe.- Harmonia Mundi: HMX2901920.
- Harmonia Mundi.
- 10.
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Gustav Mahler
Symphony no. 2 in C minor (Resurrection) for soprano, alto, chorus and orchestra
Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.- EMI: CDS7479628.
- EMI.
- 1.
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Gustav Mahler
Des Knaben Wunderhorn vers. for voice and piano
Singer: Christoph Prégardien. Performer: Michael Gees.- Hänssler Classic: CD 098256000.
- Hänssler Classic.
- 3.
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Gustav Mahler
Symphony no. 3 in D minor for alto, female chorus, boys' chorus and orchestra
Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.- Deutsche Grammophon: 4715022.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 13.
Broadcasts
- Tue 11 Feb 201412:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 11 Feb 201418:30BBC Radio 3
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