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 a seat behind the piano in the factory of M. Welte & Sohn so that his playing could be recorded on a piano roll. In this way, Mahler's own renditions of two songs and excerpts from the Fourth and Fifth Symphony 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. The museum will also feature a small presentation of scores and photographic material by Mahler and his good friend Diepenbrock.