Songs to Poems by Rueckert; No. 5: Liebst du um Schoenheit?, medium voice (C, original key) Cover Image

Songs to Poems by Rueckert; No. 5: Liebst du um Schoenheit?, medium voice (C, original key): Medium Voice, Orchestra Accompaniment, Full Score

$5.00 USD

Songs to Poems by Rueckert; No. 5: Liebst du um Schoenheit?, medium voice (C, original key): Medium Voice, Orchestra Accompaniment, Full Score

Name: Songs to Poems by Rueckert; No. 5: Liebst du um Schoenheit?, medium voice (C, original key): Medium Voice, Orchestra Accompaniment, Full Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A919501
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Gustav Mahler, orch. Max Puttmann, Text by Friedrich Rückert

Item: 36-A919501

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Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) composed Songs to Poems by Rueckert (Songs after Rückert; Rückert-Lieder) between 1901 and 1902. They were not conceived of as a cycle, with each song only connected by the poet Friedrich Rückert and the themes. But they were published together, first as Sieben Lieder aus letzter Zeit (Seven Songs of Latter Days) with two additional Mahler songs, then with only the five songs. They have simply come to be known as Rückert-Lieder and are now most frequently performed together, although Mahler did set other Rückert poems aside from these five. Mahler orchestrated the first four songs himself, while the fifth song, Liebst du um Schönheit, was orchestrated after Mahler's death by Max Puttmann. The fifth song, Liebst du um Schönheit (If you love for beauty), was written in the summer of 1902, and it is different from the first four Rückert-Lieder in that it was written specifically for his wife, Alma, as a gift. The intimate and beautiful love song is simple, yet expressive. Max Puttmann's orchestration maintains the subtlety of the piano accompaniment. Version in the original key of C and a transposition to B-flat are available from the publisher. Instrumentation: 0.2+EH.2.2: 4.0.0.0: Hp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Med. Voice.

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Series: Kalmus Vocal Library

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

ISBN10: 8-89-270064-2

ISBN13: 979-8-89-270064-1

UPC: 659359841248

SKU: 36-A919501

Instrumentation: 0.2+EH.2.2: 4.0.0.0: Hp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Med. Voice

More about this title

About the Composer: Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was an Austrian composer and conductor whose symphonies and song cycles shaped the sound of late Romantic music. He spent much of his career as a conductor at major European opera houses while composing intensely during summers, often at his country retreat in the Austrian Alps. Mahler's gift for orchestration and his ability to weave folk idioms into sophisticated harmonic language made him influential with twentieth-century composers who followed.

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Why we love this

This song stands apart within the Rückert cycle for its intimate history: Mahler wrote it as a personal gift for his wife Alma, and that tenderness comes through in every phrase. The orchestration by Max Puttmann is transparent enough to let the voice shine while providing rich harmonic support, making it an ideal choice for singers who need an accompaniment that enhances rather than overwhelms. Programming this alongside larger orchestral works gives audiences a rare glimpse into Mahler's private world.

What to expect

The opening is deceptively simple: a gentle, hymn-like melody that speaks with direct warmth. As the song progresses, harmonic shifts and orchestral responses suggest the complexity beneath the surface, much like love itself. By the end, this small love song has grown to fill an entire orchestra without ever raising its voice.

Who it's for

This is ideal for mature medium voice singers with a secure lyric instrument and familiarity with German Lied style. It suits singers who are beginning to explore Mahler's vocal work or who seek a chamber-scale song that still offers the prestige of an orchestral collaboration.

How to get the most out of it

Coordinate closely with the conductor on tempo stability. The song's simple melodic line gains expressive power when the orchestra holds a steady pulse, allowing the singer freedom to shape phrases without rhythmic distractions.
Balance the oboe and English horn lines in the orchestral texture so they complement rather than compete with the vocal melody. Their soft harmonic coloring is essential to the song's intimacy.
Use the harp gently. Its presence should be felt as a shimmer beneath the strings, not as a prominent harmonic anchor.

How to use it

Pair this with other late Romantic song cycles or chamber works to create a recital program that balances intimacy with orchestral color. It works particularly well on a concert featuring Mahler's symphonic works, offering audiences a more personal entry point into his compositional world. The song's brief length also makes it suitable as an encore or as part of a mixed vocal program with orchestral and ensemble pieces.