Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt from Des Knaben Wunderhorn (4 Tpts, Flugel, 4 Hns, 3 Trbs, Tuba, percussion) (Programme note: Des Knaben Wunderhorn (Youths Magic Horn) is a collection of German folk poems published in 1805-8. Mahlers numerous settings of these poems are scattered around his catalogue: some for voice and piano, some with orchestral accompanimiment and some of which he used as movements in his symphonies. The first 9 were written in 1887 and make up Volumes 2 and 3 of his voice and piano collections. 12 more were published in 1899, originally as Humeresque, conceived with orchestral accompaniment. Urlicht and Es sungen drei Engel were replaced in 1901 by 2 new songs after Mahler had incorporated the earlier songs into his 2nd and 3rd symphonies. Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt and Ablösung im Sommer were also included in the 2nd and 3rd symphonies as instrumental movements. Antonius of Paduas Fish Sermon tells the tale of Antonius, finding the church to be empty, heading to the river where he preaches to the fish. The greedy carp, agressive pike, bigoted cod, proud salmon, slothful crabs and turtle attend and find the sermon pleasant and listen like creatures with reason. But when the sermon is finished they immediately resume their normal behaviour. Performance note: This version can be used as accompaniment for a solo voice performance. If this is the case, balancing the dynamics is vital and some of the transcribed vocal lines may be ommitted to avoid doubling the voice. Play with rhythm and character. Let the semiquaver groups flow. The passages such as at D can be played flamboyantly. At H the trombones and horns should aim to play very smoothly, giving a continuous texture without excessive bumping. J should be more dolce, espressivo. The accompaniment at M should be as short and light as possible.)
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