Composer

:

Gustav Mahler

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1880 - 1887

Publication Date

:

1892

First Performance

:

Oct 2007Oct 1887

Average_duration

:

2:29

Gustav Mahler's "Phantasie aus Don Juan" is a symphonic work that was composed in 1887. It was premiered on November 18, 1889, in Kassel, Germany, under the direction of the composer himself. The piece is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 20 minutes. The "Phantasie aus Don Juan" is based on themes from Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni," which tells the story of the legendary seducer Don Juan. Mahler's work is not a straightforward arrangement of Mozart's music, but rather a reimagining of the themes and motifs from the opera. Mahler's interpretation of the music is highly personal and expressive, reflecting his own emotional response to the story of Don Juan. The piece is divided into three main sections. The first section is slow and mournful, with a sense of foreboding and tragedy. This section features a solo violin playing a haunting melody that is later taken up by the full orchestra. The second section is faster and more energetic, with a sense of urgency and excitement. This section features a lively dance rhythm and a series of virtuosic solos for various instruments. The third section is a return to the mournful mood of the opening, with a sense of resignation and acceptance. This section features a beautiful melody played by the strings, which gradually fades away into silence. The "Phantasie aus Don Juan" is a highly emotional and expressive work, reflecting Mahler's own intense personality and his deep connection to the music of Mozart. The piece is characterized by its rich orchestration, complex harmonies, and dramatic contrasts of mood and tempo. It is a powerful example of Mahler's early style, which combined the Romantic tradition with his own unique voice and vision.

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