Das Lied von der Erde ("The Song of the Earth") is a composition for two voices and orchestra written by the Austrian composer Gustav Mahler between 1908 and 1909. Described as a symphony when published, it comprises six songs for two singers who take turns singing the songs. Mahler specified the two singers should be a tenor and an alto, or else a tenor and a baritone if an alto is not available. 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, conductor, and known Mahler conductor Leonard Bernstein described Das Lied von der Erde as Mahler's "Greatest symphony".
Original Name | Das Lied von der Erde |
Librettist | Hans Bethge (Die Chinesische Flöte after Li Tai Po) |
Date of composition | 1909 (1908-1909) |
Premiered | 1911, November 20th in Munich, Germany |
First published | 1912 |
Type | Symphony |
Approx. duration | 60 minutes |
Spoken language | German |
Instruments |
Orchestra
2x Voice |
In listings |
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Famous Works
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Autotranslations beta |
Gustav Mahler: The Song of the Earth Gustav Mahler: The Song of the Earth Gustav Mahler: The Song of the Earth |