This is a lied series consisting of four music for baritone, which were composed by the 24 year old G. Mahler who was enlightened by his experience of lost love. Their rendition is almost always done by orchestras, but these were arranged based on the piano obbligato version which were written first.
They do not have the pomp of the orchestration of the post-romanticism, but by taking the form of piano and male chorus, the synthesis of fine sounds and the beauty as songs are further enhanced in these pieces.
Mahler's creations are epitomised by songs and symphonies, but it can be said that all of his symphonies were developed from the experience he gained in songs. Even "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" later became the motif for symphony No. 1, but it may have been that his world that he kept depicting throughout his life, were already concentrated in this song.
The degree of difficulty of rendition for chorus, accompaniment and conducting are all very high and it may prove to be very hard for amateur choirs, but all the more it is a piece that is worth the challenge.