I’m not going to write much. The music speaks for itself.
The Symphony No. 2 in C minor by Gustav Mahler, known as the Resurrection Symphony, was written between 1888 and 1894, and first performed in 1895. This symphony was one of Mahler’s most popular and successful works during his lifetime
Mahler, Symphony 2, Movement IV, “Urlicht”
O Röschen rot,
Der Mensch liegt in gröβter Not,
Der Mensch liegt in gröβter Pein,
Je lieber möcht‘ ich im Himmel sein.
Da kam ich auf einen breiten Weg,
Da kam ein Engelein und wollt mich abweisen,
Ach nein, ich lieβ mich nicht abweisen.
Ich bin von Gott, ich will wieder zu Gott,
Der liebe Gott wird mir ein Lichtchen geben,
Wird leuchten mir bis in das ewig selig Leben.
Mahler, Symphony 2, Movement IV, “Primeval Light”
O red rose,
Man lies in deepest need,
Man lies in deepest pain,
Yes, I would rather be in heaven.
I came upon a broad pathway,
An angel came and wanted to send me away,
Ah no, I would not be sent away.
I am from God and will return to God,
The dear God will give me a light,
Will light me to eternal blessed life.
Hilde Rössel-Majdan
January 21, 1921 – December 15, 2010
The Austrian contralto, Hilde (Hildegard) Rössel-Majdan (sometimes spelled Rössl-Majdan), was the daughter-in-law and student of the bass Karl Rössel-Majdan. She was educated at the Vienna Academy of Music.
Hilde Rössel-Majdan began her career as a concert alto in 1946. In 1947 she substituted for the soloist who was sick in a performance of J.S. Bach’s Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) in Vienna under Wilhelm Furtwängler and had a brilliant success. In 1950 she heeded a call to the Vienna State Opera, of which she remained a member for over 20 years. Guest appearences in La Scala, Covent Garden, and in many other great theaters took a very successful course. With the same success she sang at the Festivals of Salzburg, Edinburgh, and Aix-en-Provence. In Salzburg she appeared in 1954-1955 as Dryad in Ariadne auf Naxos and in 1958 as Lukrezia in Pfitzner’s Palestrina, in 1960 as Annina in Strauss’ Rosenkavalier, and Marcellina in W.A. Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and additionally in numerous concerts. As oratorio and Lieder singer she had a most successful career in the music centers of Germany, Austria, and Italy. Later she worked in the Conservatory of Graz (until 1972) as a sought after singing teacher, and then at the Vienna Academy of Music.