Composer

:

Gustav Mahler

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1901

Publication Date

:

1905

First Performance

:

Jan 29, 1905

Average_duration

:

6:15

"Um Mitternacht" is a song composed by Gustav Mahler in 1901-1902, as part of his "Kindertotenlieder" song cycle. The song was premiered in Vienna in 1905, with Mahler conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The song is written for a baritone soloist and orchestra, and is set to a poem by Friedrich Rückert. The song is in B minor and is divided into two main sections. The first section is slow and mournful, with the baritone soloist singing about the darkness of midnight and the loneliness that comes with it. The orchestra is subdued, with soft strings and gentle woodwinds creating a somber atmosphere. The second section is more dramatic, with the orchestra swelling in intensity as the soloist sings about the hopelessness of life and the inevitability of death. The song is characterized by Mahler's use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of unease and tension throughout the piece. The orchestration is also notable, with Mahler using a wide range of instruments to create a rich and complex sound. The song is a powerful expression of Mahler's own personal grief, as he had recently lost his own daughter to illness. Overall, "Um Mitternacht" is a haunting and deeply emotional work that showcases Mahler's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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