On June 27, a new chapter begins in the artistic journey of conductor Roberto Beltrán-Zavala and The re:orchestra of Rotterdam, with the release of Das Lied von der Erde by Gustav Mahler—presented in the masterful chamber arrangement by Arnold Schönberg and Rainer Riehn.
This recording represents more than just a musical project; it is an emotional and spiritual offering. Recorded live at the Zeeuwse Concertzaal in Middelburg, The Netherlands, this version of Das Lied seeks to reveal the core vulnerability of Mahler’s final years—a man confronting deadth, loss, and the quiet beauty of the earth he knew he would soon leave behind.
Mahler once described this work as “the most personal piece I have ever written.” Composed after the death of his daughter and the diagnosis of his own heart condition, Das Lied is not merely a song cycle—it is a farewell. Through six movements based on ancient Chinese poetry, Mahler gives voice to the full arc of human experience: celebration, solitude, longing, and acceptance.
In this new interpretation, Carina Vinke (contralto) and Jan-Willem Schaafsma (tenor) embody the profound emotional range of the work. Their performance, supported by the nuanced textures of the chamber ensemble, bring clarity and immediacy to Mahler’s vision. Every line breathes with intimate urgency; every phrase feels suspended between life and its fading echo.
The reduced orchestration, originally conceived by Schönberg and later completed by Rainer Riehn, strips the work to its essence—offering transparency, detail, and proximity. It allows listeners to hear Das Lied not as a grand symphonic monument, but as an interior monologue, trembling with truth.
The recording will be released under the Evidence Classics label and will be available across major platforms. We are pleased to share this announcement first on robertobeltranzavala.com, in anticipation of the public release.
This project would not have been possible without the generosity of the Mahler Foundation and the dedication of all those who participated in its realization—musicians, producers, engineers, and supporters who believed in the importance of bringing this version of Mahler’s masterpiece to life.
