In demand internationally as a Mahler specialist, Michelle DeYoung describes the vocal qualities and technique required to sing the composer’s vocal-orchestral music. The American mezzo-soprano also tells the story of performing Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder with San Francisco Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas as the symphony’s first concert after 9/11.
Watch Michelle DeYoung and pianist Andres Cladera perform one of Mahler’s most moving songs, “Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen,” below.
All selections performed by mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung. Click on song titles below to read texts and translations.
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Resurrection”
IV. “Urlicht”
Vienna Singverein
Vienna Philharmonic
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Mahler: Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”
Deutsche Grammophon B0006684-02
Mahler: Symphony No. 3
V. Lustig im Tempo und keck im Ausdruck
Women of the Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duaine Wolfe, director
Chicago Children’s Choir
Josephine Lee, artistic director
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Mahler: Symphony No. 3
CSO-Resound CSOR 901-701
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
1. Nun will die Sonn’ so hell aufgeh’n
2. Nun seh’ ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen
3. Wenn dein Mütterlein tritt zur Tür herein
4. Oft denk’ ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen
5. In diesem Wetter, in diesem Braus!
San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Mahler: Symphony No. 3, Kindertotenlieder
San Francisco Symphony 821936-003-2
Richard Strauss: Zueignung, Op. 10 No. 1
Kevin Murphy, piano
Songs by Duparc, Wagner, Liszt, and R. Strauss
Warner Classics 5731632
