Das Himmlische Leben - Soprano Voice, Clarinet, and Piano

Das Himmlische Lebe (The Heavenly Light) was among the assemblage of German folk poems entitled Des Knaben Wunderhorn, a collection that provided significant musical inspiration to Gustav Mahler. Mahler set this particular text to music in the final movement of his Symphony No. 4, where it is sung by soprano soloist and accompanied by orchestra, frequently featuring the clarinet section and other woodwinds.

This 2017 reduction for clarinet, soprano voice, and piano, is made by Klaus Simon and published by Universal Edition.  The soprano part follows the symphony exactly, while the clarinet part is a combination of the original solo clarinet lines, other woodwind solos, and important melodic and harmonic material from throughout the orchestra.  The piano, meanwhile, fills in the gaps. In total, this reduction follows the last movement of Mahler's Symphony No. 4 measure for measure, and even includes rehearsal numbers that correspond to the original.

This set includes a piano score and pull-out clarinet part.  The clarinet part requires clarinets in B-flat and A at a minimum, and basset clarinet in A is recommended at the ending to cover serveral low D's below the staff.  There is also an ossia line provided there for bass clarinet in B-flat.