Wild Arts (★★★★ The Guardian, ★★★★★ Classical Explorer) presents Mahler’s passionate reflection on death, time and transience.

Composed at the end of Mahler’s life and set to Hans Bethge’s German translations of classical Chinese poems, Das Lied von der Erde sees the composer recalling past joys and sorrows before turning softly towards death and life’s renewal. 

Performed by the Wild Arts Ensemble (the orchestra behind the sell-out dramatisation of Handel’s Messiah here at Smith Square Hall) in Iain Farrington’s arrangement for chamber orchestra, Mahler’s “greatest symphony” is refocussed, drawing out each individual voice and musical line and revealing often hidden aspects of the moving, thrilling original score.