Das Lied von der Erde facts for kids

Das Lied von der Erde (which means The Song of the Earth) is a very special piece of music. It was created by a famous composer named Gustav Mahler in 1908 and 1909. It's like a big symphony but also a collection of songs.

This musical work has six different songs. It's made for two singers (one male and one female) and a large orchestra. The words for the songs come from an old book of Chinese poems called The Chinese Flute, which was put together by Hans Bethge. The very first time Das Lied von der Erde was performed was on November 20, 1911, in a city called Munich.

What is a Symphony-Song Cycle?

Das Lied von der Erde is unique because it's not just a regular symphony and not just a regular song cycle. A symphony is usually a long piece of music for an orchestra, often with four parts called movements. A song cycle is a group of songs that tell a story or share a common theme. Mahler combined these ideas to create something new and exciting.

The Chinese Poems that Inspired It

The poems used in Das Lied von der Erde are very old and beautiful. They talk about things like life, death, nature, and saying goodbye. Mahler chose these poems because they expressed deep feelings that he wanted to put into his music.

• The first song is about a drinking song, celebrating life.
• Other songs describe lonely autumn days, beautiful porcelain pavilions, and the beauty of youth.
• The last song is a long farewell, reflecting on the beauty of the Earth and the cycle of life.

Who Was Gustav Mahler?

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was an important Austrian composer and conductor. He lived a long time ago, but his music is still very popular today. He wrote many symphonies and song cycles. Mahler's music often has big orchestras and explores deep emotions. He was also a very famous conductor, leading orchestras all over the world.

When Was It First Performed?

The first performance of Das Lied von der Erde happened after Mahler had finished writing it. It was played for the first time on November 20, 1911, in Munich, Germany. Sadly, Mahler himself had passed away earlier that year, so he never got to hear his complete work performed live.

Learn More

You can learn more about Das Lied von der Erde in Spanish here: Das Lied von der Erde para niños