This dissertation presents a comprehensive and systematic investigation of Gustav Mahler's early song cycle, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer), through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates musicological analysis with perfo...
This dissertation presents a comprehensive and systematic investigation of Gustav Mahler's early song cycle, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer), through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates musicological analysis with performance practice.
The research begins with a thorough review of relevant literature, establishing a methodology that combines documentary research, music-text analysis, and performance theory. The main body follows a macro-to-micro progression. First, it examines Mahler's biography and the late-Romantic cultural context, providing a historical and personal foundation for interpreting the work. The core of the study lies in a detailed music-poetic analysis of the four individual songs—"Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht," "Ging heut' Morgen über's Feld," "Ich hab' ein glühend Messer," and "Die zwei blauen Augen." This analysis meticulously explores their formal structures, harmonic language, core motifs, and text-music interactions. It reveals how Mahler, through his highly symphonic piano textures, tense tonal language, and precise word-painting, vividly depicts a complete psychological journey—from personal heartbreak and seeking solace in nature to existential turmoil and, finally, resignation and transcendence.
Building upon this analytical foundation, the study pivots to the dimension of performance practice. It proposes concrete interpretive guidelines for each song, encompassing vocal register management, timbre shaping, German diction, and the organic collaboration between the voice and piano regarding phrasing, dynamics, and emotional expression. Ultimately, this research constructs a coherent three-dimensional interpretive framework of "Technique—Language—Expression." This not only deepens the understanding of the compositional characteristics and aesthetic philosophy of Mahler's early art songs but also effectively bridges the gap between scholarly research and stage practice. The findings aim to contribute new perspectives and methods to Mahler scholarship while providing a systematic and practical reference for performers in their artistic recreation and for advanced vocal pedagogy.