Mahler - 5th Symphony, 1st mvt (piano solo)

Gustav Mahler - 5th Symphony, 1st movement (piano solo) with score
Trauermarsch
Arranged and performed by Iain Farrington

Published by Aria Editions: https://www.ariaeditions.org/store/c7...

http://www.iainfarrington.com​

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) composed his 5th Symphony in 1901-2 while he was music director at the Vienna State Opera. It was written at Mahler's composing hut in Maiernigg near the Wörthersee, and he conducted the premiere in 1904 with the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne. The work is often directly inspired by events in Mahler's life. He had suffered a near-fatal haemorrhage in February 1901, which likely inspired the opening funeral march and the following turbulent movement. His recovery is reflected in the symphony's journey as a whole, from tragedy to triumph. Mahler was also becoming fascinated with counterpoint and the music of Bach, which is reflected in the part-writing and use of fugal devices, especially in the Finale. During the composition of the symphony, Mahler met Alma Schindler, who after a short courtship became his wife. The Adagietto may have been composed as a declaration of love for Alma, although the evidence for this has been debated. It has regularly been performed and recorded separately, and achieved notably widespread renown for its use in the 1971 film 'Death in Venice'.

An arrangement for solo piano of Mahler's work brings the music close to its compositional origins. In each one of his composing 'huts', Mahler had a piano at his disposal. His sketches are often on two or three staves of music, and can be read directly on the piano. Mahler often played his latest works on the piano to friends and colleagues, and his early training as a pianist left him with a good virtuoso technique. By performing the music in this way, it enabled the first listeners to hear the melodies and harmonies unadorned.

Mahler also 'recorded' some of his music onto piano rolls: the first movement of the 5th symphony, the last movement of the 4th symphony and several songs. These demonstrate Mahler's 'orchestral' piano technique, full in texture and tone, carrying the general sweep and drama of the music.

This solo piano arrangement of Symphony No. 5 is not just a literal transcription of the notes onto two staves, but a transformation into pianistic texture of the full sonic landscape. Hearing Mahler's music in this way allows us to take in the content as 'pure' music. In Mahler's lifetime, piano duet versions of the Symphonies were published, but very few for solo piano. This arrangement allows one player the opportunity to perform and study them.