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- Mahler - Symphony No. 2 (piano solo)
Mahler - Symphony No. 2 (piano solo)
Arranged for solo piano, soloists and choir
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) composed his Second Symphony over a number of years. He wrote the single-movement 'Totenfeier' (Funeral Rites) in 1888 while he was conductor at the Leipzig Theatre. It may have been conceived as a symphonic tone poem, a depiction of the hero from the First Symphony being carried to his grave, along with a search for the meaning of life and death. Mahler composed another two movements in 1893, but was unsure of a Finale. After hearing the hymn 'Die Auferstehung' at the funeral of Hans von Bülow in 1894, Mahler was inspired to compose the last movement using the same text. He added the song 'Urlicht' and revised 'Totenfeier' as the first movement to complete his Second Symphony that year. This arrangement by Iain Farrington for piano solo is in a full, Romantic style, whilst maintaining the beauty and delicacy of the score in a clear, playable arrangement. The final movement is presented with all vocal parts as a piano vocal score.