Composer

:

Gustav Mahler

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

Aug 16, 1901

Publication Date

:

1905

First Performance

:

Jan 29, 1905

Average_duration

:

6:26

"Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" is a song composed by Gustav Mahler in 1901. It is the fifth movement of his Rückert-Lieder, a cycle of five songs based on poems by Friedrich Rückert. The premiere of the cycle took place on January 29, 1905, in Vienna, with the composer conducting. The song is written for a solo voice and orchestra, and it is characterized by its slow tempo, introspective mood, and rich orchestration. The text of the poem is a meditation on the idea of withdrawing from the world and finding solace in one's own inner world. The music reflects this mood by using a subdued and contemplative melody, with long phrases and a gentle rhythm. The song begins with a solo oboe playing a haunting melody, which is then taken up by the voice. The orchestra provides a rich and varied accompaniment, with lush strings, delicate woodwinds, and subtle brass. The vocal line is characterized by its long, sustained notes, which require a singer with a strong and expressive voice. The second half of the song features a more dramatic and intense section, with the orchestra building to a powerful climax. The vocal line becomes more urgent and impassioned, as the singer declares that they have found peace and freedom in their solitude. Overall, "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" is a deeply introspective and emotional work, which reflects Mahler's own struggles with depression and his search for spiritual meaning. It is considered one of his most beautiful and profound compositions, and it has been widely performed and recorded by some of the greatest singers and orchestras of the 20th century.

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