Gustav Mahler: Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen: (Arr. Bo Holten): Chœur Mixte et Accomp.

Gustav Mahler's Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen expertly arranged for Baritone solo and 8-part Choir (SSAATTBarB) by Bo Holten (2010). Text by Friedrich Rückert.

Programme note

Gustav Mahler: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (arr.: Holten, 2010) is an arrangement for baritone soloist and 8-part choir of one of Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder. There is already an often performed arrangement for 16-voice choir by Clytus Gottwald, which Holten has himself conducted a few times. But Holten does not really think that Gottwald does justice toMahler’s song; among other things it lacks a soloist who can express the “Ich” that is so central to the text. Holten takes his cue from Mahler’s piano setting but with Mahler’s own sublime orchestral setting firmly in mind. The choir thus functions as an (orchestral) accompaniment for the soloist. Holten has taken pains to stay as close to the model as possible within the constraints of what in fact can be sung by a choir. And he has striven to function solely as an arranger and as far as possible to avoid mixing his own personality with Mahler’s.
(Klaus Møller-Jørgensen, 2012)