Gustav Mahler was one of the greatest composers of all time. He lived from 1860 until 1911, and he wrote some of the most massive symphonic works the world has ever known. His Symphony No. 8 is known as “The Symphony of a Thousand,” since there were about 1,000 singers and instrumentalists in the first performance.However, our introduction to this famous composer will be through one of his greatest songs of which he wrote quite a few. This is a song written around 1902, titled Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, which means “I have lost track of the world.”
It will be sung by one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of the past, Dame Janet Baker.
Although she was a mezzo, she had one of the best low female voices in England after Kathleen Ferrier, who is the benchmark for contralto voices. Look at the text (which is sung in German) and you will understand why this is one of the greatest voices of all time AND one of the finest songs.
I have lost track of the world
Where I used to waste so much time,
It has heard nothing from me for so long
that it may very well believe that I am dead!
It is of no consequence to me
Whether it thinks me dead;
I cannot deny it,
for really I am dead to the world.
I am dead to the world's tumult,
And I rest in a quiet realm!
I live alone in my heaven,
In my love and in my song!
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