Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth)
Gustav Mahler
Work background
Researched classical background
Mahler called Das Lied von der Erde a symphony for voices and orchestra. Its six movements set German adaptations of Chinese poems, moving between exuberant public gestures and more solitary reflections on nature and passing time. The final movement, The Farewell, occupies an exceptionally large share of the whole. Alternating vocal registers and changing instrumental combinations give each poem a distinct setting.
Inspiration and creative background
Hans Bethge's German poetic adaptations in Die chinesische Flote supplied the texts, which Mahler altered in places.
Das Lied von der Erde - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Compare the scale of the brief middle songs with the long final movement and its increasingly spare close.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Tenor and alto or baritone soloists with orchestra
Composition: 1908 (principal composition)
The work was first performed after Mahler's death, in 1911; later preparation and first performance are separate events.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: The Song of the Earth
Das Lied von der Erde - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Das Lied von der Erde - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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