Symphonic Movement: Blumine

Description

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in C, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet in F, Harp, Timpani, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Violoncello, Contrabass — Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 was written between 1883 and 1888 and first performed under the composer's direction in 1889, in Budapest. The original version of the symphony, which included five movements, was subtitled Titan; a programmatic scheme was written by the composer on the title page:PART ONE: Aus den Tagen der Jugend1. Fruhling und kein Ende2. Blumine3. Mit vollen SegelnPART TWO: Comedia humama4. Todtenmarsch in Callots Manier5. D'all Inferno al' ParadisoThe composer revised three of the movements in 1893 and performed the symphony, still in five movements, in 1894 in Weimar. Sometime after this, however, the composer was persuaded to delete the Blumine movement and to discard the "program" of the symphony; it was published in 1899 in four movements without the titles.The manuscript of the original version of the symphony was given by Mahler to a favorite student and lifelong friend, Jenny Feld Perrin, whose family kept it until 1959, when it was offered for sale. Mrs. James M. Osborn, the purchaser, then most graciously donated this long unknown manuscript, with all of her rights in it, to the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.