Das Lied von der Erde: A Cross-cultural Approach

Hanyu Qu, Oberlin CollegeFollow

Location

King Building 243

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-27-2018 1:00 PM

End Date

4-27-2018 2:20 PM

Abstract

My research focuses on the analysis of Chinese music and Tang Dynasty literature within Gustav Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde in order to understand how Mahler and his contemporaries positioned their compositions in dialogue with art, philosophies, and writings of the time. I will examine the Chinese elements within Mahler’s work in three categories: translated Tang Dynasty literature, Chinese melody, and harmony. Through studying Fin de siecle music, I will explore contemporary composers’ philosophies. My aim is to determine why Mahler employed elements from Chinese culture, trying to gasps the relationship between exoticism and his identity. With a focus on Das Lied von der Erde, I will research philosophies thatinfluenced twentieth and continue to influence twenty-first century Western music that incorporates Chinese elements.

Keywords:

Gustav Mahler; fin de siecle; Chinese literature; Das Lied von der Erde; Hans Bethge, philosophy

Notes

FEATURED PRESENTATION
Session III, Panel 9 - Cross-Cultural | Languages
Moderator: Kirk Ormand, Nathan A. Greenberg Professor of Classics

Major

Musical Studies

Advisor(s)

Charles McGuire, Musicology

Project Mentor(s)

Kathryn Metz, Ethnomusicology
Charles McGuire, Musicology

April 2018

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Apr 27th, 1:00 PM Apr 27th, 2:20 PM

Das Lied von der Erde: A Cross-cultural Approach

King Building 243

My research focuses on the analysis of Chinese music and Tang Dynasty literature within Gustav Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde in order to understand how Mahler and his contemporaries positioned their compositions in dialogue with art, philosophies, and writings of the time. I will examine the Chinese elements within Mahler’s work in three categories: translated Tang Dynasty literature, Chinese melody, and harmony. Through studying Fin de siecle music, I will explore contemporary composers’ philosophies. My aim is to determine why Mahler employed elements from Chinese culture, trying to gasps the relationship between exoticism and his identity. With a focus on Das Lied von der Erde, I will research philosophies thatinfluenced twentieth and continue to influence twenty-first century Western music that incorporates Chinese elements.