Des Knaben Wunderhorn

The collection of German romantic poems titled Des Knaben Wunderhorn ( the youth's magic horn, no giggling at the back ) was a source of inspiration to many composersincluding Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms and Zemlinsky. But in a musical sense they are most closely associated with Mahler. He used extracts in his second, third and fourth symphonies but also set many others for lieder recitals but with orchestral settings. This excellent cd is by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Chailly with soloists Matthias Goerne and Barbara Bonney. There are cheerful settings of poems devoted to nature and young love but there is throughout a darker undercurrent with tragic military tales and a hint of the supernatural. Chailly uses pared down chamber orchestra resources which is in line with Mahler's original intentions that the songs be played in a small hall. He did not write much chamber music and maybe these songs in some way stand in for that.The Concertgebouw is a fine orchestra and both solists are in fine form, especially Goerne.