Musings on Mahler - Trumpet and Piano

One of Mahler's favorite books was collection of German folk poetry entitle Das Knaben Wunderhorn. He set a number of these poems to music for solo voice and piano, which he later scored for orchestra. Inspired by these poems, he wrote his own poetry which formed the lyrics of "Songs of a Wayfarer", which he also set to music. These two song cycles have become some of his most beloved compositions, and among his most frequently performed works. This setting for trumpet and piano, soon to be scored for trumpet and band, captures the whimsical nature of German folk song, although the themes are original by Mahler. The composer later incorporated some of these melodies into his orchestral works. At the request of Dr. Mark Ponzo, my colleague from Northern Illinois University, I selected three leider from these two song cycles to be scored for trumpet. As I reflected upon the beautiful melodies, I was inspired to utilize both the lyrical and technical nature of the trumpet to convey Mahler's ideas, while expanding upon them as well.