Mahler: “I Went This Morning over the Field” (from Songs of a Wayfarer)

Songs of a Wayfarer is widely believed to have been inspired by Mahler’s own unhappy love affair, and has become one of his most famous works. The second song, “I Went This Morning over the Field”, is the most cheerful of the cycle. In the chirping of birds and the dew upon the meadows, Mahler expresses—through his characteristic musical language—the joy and elation of wandering through the beauty of nature. The refrain repeatedly asks, “Is this not the beloved nature?” Yet, at the end of the song, the text concludes with the realization: “No—for my love will never be fulfilled, and my happiness will never blossom.” Thus, the piece may be understood as a love song addressed to the woman he adored. This melody also appears in the first movement of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 “Titan”, making it familiar to many listeners.

Duration: Approximately 4 minutes

Audio accompaniment (approximately 1 minute)

Set contents
PDF sheet music: ① Solo score ② Accompaniment score (complete score with solo score)
MP3 accompaniment audio