Rijksmuseum - Auditorium
The pianola was the technical musical marvel of the early twentieth century. These self-playing pianos were a great attraction in Mahler's day. Via punched paper rolls, a pneumatic mechanism could reproduce a specific performance at the piano. In November 1905 in Leipzig, Mahler briefly took his seat behind the piano in the factory of M. Welte & Sohn so that his playing could be recorded on piano rolls. In this way, Mahler's own renditions of two songs and excerpts from the Fourth and Fifth symphonies have been preserved.
During this unique event in the auditorium of the Rijksmuseum, Mahler's piano playing will be brought back to life via the pianola. You will hear the composer as an accompanist in a number of songs, sung by soprano Jeannette van Schaik. She also sings songs by Mengelberg and Diepenbrock, accompanied by Peter Nilsson. In addition to the music, Kasper Janse, curator of the Piano Museum, and Giovanni di Stefano, curator of the Rijksmuseum, will tell you all about the world of the pianola and Mahler.
The Rijksmuseum will also host a small presentation during the Mahler Festival featuring scores and photographic material of Mahler and his good friend Diepenbrock.
When ticket sales for this event will start is to be announced.