From the Philharmonie Cologne, 2002
WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne (WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln)
Semyon Bychkov, conductor
Waltraud Meier – mezzo-soprano
Torsten Kerl – tenor
Gustav Mahler – Das Lied von der Erde
0:55 I. Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde
9:09 II. Der Einsame im Herbst
18:40 III. Von der Jugend
22:03 IV. Von der Schönheit
29:27 V. Der Trunkene im Frühling
34:07 VI. Der Abschied
Want to know about this masterpiece? Watch also “Mahler, Lied von der Erde – Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music”:
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Although it was not recognized numerically as part of Mahler’s symphonic oeuvre, Das Lied von der Erde (composed in 1907, between the enormous Symphonies No. 8 and 9) was in fact written as a symphony with voices. Its six lyrics, set alternately for tenor and contralto, were translated from 8th-century Chinese poems; the last of them, the achingly beautiful and contemplative “Der Abschied,” is a formidable artistic challenge for any singer – a challenge met superbly by Waltraud Meier.