The Heavenly Life
From "The Boy's Magic Horn"
We enjoy the pleasures of Heaven
And therefore avoid earthly ones.
No worldly tumult
Is to be heard in Heaven.
All live in gentlest peace.
We lead angelic lives,
Thus we have a merry time of it.
We dance and we leap,
We skip and we sing!
Saint Peter in Heaven looks on.
John lets his little lamb out,
And Herod the Butcher lies in wait for it.
We lead a patient,
Innocent, patient,
Dear little lamb to its death!
Saint Luke slaughters the ox
Without a thought or concern.
Wine doesn't cost a penny
In Heaven's cellar;
The angels bake the bread.
Good greens of all sorts
Grow in Heaven's garden!
Good asparagus, string beans
And whatever we want!
Full bowls are set out for us!
Good apples, good pears, and good grapes!
The gardeners allow everything!
If you want venison or hare,
You'll find them running
On the public streets.
Should a fast-day arrive,
All the fish come
swimming with joy!
There goes Saint Peter, running
With his net and his bait
To the heavenly pond.
Saint Martha shall be the cook.
There is no music on earth
That can compare to ours.
Eleven thousand virgins
Dare to dance!
Even Saint Ursula herself has to laugh!
There is no music on earth
That can compare to ours.
Cecilia and all her relatives
Make splendid court musicians.
The angelic voices
Enliven our senses
So that everything blossoms for joy.
Mahler composed the song “The Heavenly Life” in 1892, seven years before using it as the last movement of his Fourth Symphony. In this episode we discuss the meaning of the song and its lyrics.
Guests include:
• William Henry Curry, Music Director, Durham Symphony Orchestra
• Paul Fleming, Cornell University, Ithaca
• Thomas Hampson, Baritone
• Marilyn McCoy, Columbia University, New York
• Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet, New York Philharmonic
• Joanna Neilly, Oxford University, England
• Miriam Pastor Burgos, Solo English Horn, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam
• Fred Plotkin, Author and Lecturer
Music used in Episode 4. All titles used with permission.
Das Himmlische Leben
By Gustav Mahler
Piano arrangement and embellishment
Written and performed by D.D. Jackson
Des Knaben Wunderhorn: No. 15, Das Himmlische Leben
By Gustav Mahler
Sung by Diana Damrau, accompanied by Stephan Matthias Lademann
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Profil (PH14018)
Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, "Resurrection": IV. Urlicht: Sehr Feierlich, Aber Schlicht
By Gustav Mahler
Sung by Juliane Banse, accompanied by SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, conducted by Michael Gielen
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
SWR Classic (SWR19042CD)
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor: V. Lustig im Tempo und Keck im Ausdruck
By Gustav Mahler
Cologne Cathedral Children's Choir, Cologne Opera Chorus, accompanied by the Cologne Gurzenich Orchestra, conducted by Markus Stenz
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Oehms Classics (OC648)
Symphony No. 4 in G Major: IV. Wir Geniessen Die Himmlischen Freuden. Sehr Behaglich
By Gustav Mahler
Sung by Chen Reiss with the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Semyon Bychkov
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Pentatone (5186972)
Guillaume Tell (William Tell): Overture
By Gioachino Rossini
Performed by the Zagreb Festival Orchestra, conducted by Michael Halász
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Naxos (8.555360)
Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14, H. 48: III. Scene aux Champs: Adagio
By Hector Berlioz
Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Charles Mackerras
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Musical Concepts (ALC1064)