MAHLER
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen - Clarinette et piano

The internationally acclaimed clarinettist Andreas Ottensamer (principal clarinettist with the Berliner Philharmoniker) presents the new series "The clarinet collection", adding variety to the clarinettist's repertoire. The first volume contains a selection of five songs by Gustav Mahler. The composer's rich song output includes his Wunderhorn songs, the Songs of a Wayfarer, the Rückert songs, the Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children) as well as movements from his symphonies and The Song of the Earth. This book includes a selection of pieces that best suit the sound of the clarinet while providing plenty of variety. ("Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen", "Lob des hohen Verstandes", "Verlorne Müh", "Rheinlegendchen", and "Oft denk' ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen"). The arrangements transform Mahler's songs from their original conception for voice and piano or orchestral accompaniment into a purely instrumental dialogue between two equally important instrumentalists. In most cases the colourful orchestral versions provide the starting point. The omission of the text also demands different compositional techniques to bring out the various effects between indulgent sweetness and grotesque irony.