Gustav Mahler's symphonies are both fascinating and enigmatic. It is therefore enlightening to consider the original titles for Mahler's six-part "Third Symphony" for mezzo-soprano, boys' choir, women's choir and orchestra. The work was originally called "Das glückliche Leben - Ein Sommermorgenstraum". Later it became "Die fröhliche Wissenschaft" (after Nietzsche). The symphony opened with "Pan
… erwacht. Der Sommer marschiert ein", to continue with "Was mir die Blumen auf der Wiese erzählen", "Was mir die Tiere im Walde erzählen", "Was mir der Mensch erzählt" (a setting of "O Man! Gib eight!" From Nietzsche's "Also sprach Zarathustra"), "Was mir die Engel erzählen" and "Was mir die Liebe erzählt". Mahler eventually withdrew all these titles. (HJ) _more