Mahler’s
Kindertotenlieder is filled with
irony. The first song begins with the phrase “Now will the sun so brightly rise
again.” Though a positive text, the soloist sings in a sad manner. You can find
a performance of Matthias Goerne singing at the BBC Proms here.
How
does this piece make you feel? Does it move your “affections” (or emotions) in
a certain way? Do you think this piece is indeed ironic or do you think that
Mahler clearly conveys the depth of emotion experienced by a parent after
losing a child?
