| The Virtual Philharmonic Orchestra (VPO) | Music Tracks |
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Mahler, Gustav (1860-1911):Symphony No.1 (From the Life of a Lonely one)(II.Movement). Blumine. |
| 1.Mvmnt. | Blumine | 2.Mvmnt. | 3.Mvmnt. | 4.Mvmnt. |
About "Blumine"
The original composition of the Symphony No.1 was structured in 5 movements, and the first three performances of this symphony had this structure in which this "Blumine" was the 2nd movement. Gustav dropped this movement from 1896 onwards, and it has only been rediscovered in 1966.
The "Blumine" is part of Gustav's incidental music to Joseph Scheffel's play "Der Trompeter von Sãckingen" from 1884. Most recordings of the 1st symphony do not include it in the recordings, as most performers respect Gustav's final decision to leave it out. However, there is evidence shown by Jeffrey Gantz that this "Blumine" movement provides important thematic material through the symphony and even in other symphonies.
From the biographical context of the First Symphony, it appears that "Blumine" was written with Johanna Richter in mind, and "Blumine" may have been her nickname given by Gustav. There is also a strong link to Gustav's adoration of the poet Jean Paul, who wrote a collection called "Herbst-Blumine" .
About this recording:
In March 2010 I had for the very first time come across the "Blumine" movement and had not known about it. I purchased the score, but I did not search for any audio recording as I wanted to embark on an experiment: Since I never had heard this movement before, I wanted to experience the thrill of bringing this music from the printed score into an audible version without having it heard before. Such an experience would only have been possible 100 years ago when the work itself was new. All of my other renditions have been based on music I had heard before and knew very well.
On 6.July 2010 I had just finished the rendition of the 4th movement, which meant that I had completed the whole Symphony No.1 as it is usually performed in its 4 movement structure, just in time for the celebration of Gustav's 150th birthday on 7.July. So in the evening of 6.July I began creating the rendition of "Blumine", and for the first time for me I was able to listen to this work as it emerged track by track. It is a very "easy" piece, nothing compared to the 4th movement that I had just finished then, and I was able to complete the first version of the rendition the same night, having the complete Symphony No.1 ready for the anniversary on 7.July.
Live Trumpet by Julius Eiweck
In February 2011 I asked my friend Dr Julius Eiweck who plays trumpet for the Haydn Orchestra Eisenstadt and the Musikverein, to participate in this rendition and to add a live trumpet solo. I removed the trumpet rendition that I had in the recording before and sent him the music file with the remaining orchestra instruments. He then put on his headphones, listed to the recording, played his solo and recorded it. I then embedded his solo in the rendition, and we now have a recording that is partially "Virtual Philharmonic Orchestra", together with live trumpet, played by Julius Eiweck. This version was then released on 16.March 2011.© 1995-2012 Reinhold Behringer
