MAHLER’S WUNDERHORN YEARS: FROM SONG TO SYMPHONY

Mahler’s “Wunderhorn” symphonies, Nos. 2, 3, and 4, are shaped by their deep thematic, melodic, and structural connections to the folk poetry collection Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Youth’s Magic Horn). Mahler’s settings of these poems, composed between 1887 and 1901, form the creative foundation of his early symphonic works. These symphonies blend folk-inspired imagery with sophisticated orchestration, creating a distinctive musical world that moves between innocence and existential reflection. They represent a crucial stage in Mahler’s development of the expansive, emotionally rich symphonic form. Note: This is a hybrid class. Students can register to attend in-person or online.