Review

Gustav Mahler
Vier Rückert Lieder: (Four Rückert Songs)

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2022
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

piano score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

“Vier Rückert Leider” is a set of four Mahler songs selected by Sauer from a collection of five independent leider composed in 1901, setting texts from Friedrich Rückert. Commonly referred to as the “Rückert-Leider,” the five songs were first published in 1910 in a single volume along with two leider from “Des Knaben Wunderhorn.” The collection does not constitute a song cycle per se, yet they are often performed as a unit. The fifth lied was composed a year after the other four as a gift for Mahler’s wife. This lied was neither included during the 1905 premiere with the other four nor was it orchestrated by Mahler. The orchestration was by Max Puttman, an employee of the original publisher of the music (www.mahlerfoundation.org).

The four lieder are: “Blicke mir night in die Lieder,” “Ich atmet' einen linden Duft,” “Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen,” and “Um Mitternacht.” Sauer’s edition is correctly labeled as “edited” since the solo and piano score more often than not parallel the original notation. Edits for the trombone part mainly consist of articulation indications. Exclusively notated in tenor clef with a pitch range encompassing B-flat - f-sharp1, this could be performed by a bass trombonist. The format and musical notation are clear and easy read. The texts for each of the songs appear in the original German (with English translations) at the conclusion of the piano score. Including the text and translations with the solo part would be beneficial to the soloist. This publication is yet another fine edition of terrific music edited or arranged by Sauer and worthy of consideration for performance.