Gustav Mahler's Rückert-Lieder is a set of five songs with poetry by Friedrich Rückert. Composed mainly in 1901 and 1902, these songs are unified through themes of introspection and lyricism, and together, exemplify Mahler's affinity for symphonic vocal writing. Mahler's orchestration of these songs is often described as chamber-like in quality, treating the voice as an instrument within the ensemble. This collection marks an important shift from the folk-inspired Des Knabern Wunderhorn to reflect a more personal, almost auto-biographical inner world. These songs explore themes of love, nature, and existence, with Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen and Um Mitternacht delving into profound solitude and metaphysical contemplation. Mahler's nuanced orchestration creates a transparent and intimate sound world that underscores the emotional depth of Rückert's poetry. 

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This arrangement is a follow-up and a companion piece to Kindertotenlieder, an arrangement of the same instrumentation that was originally commissioned by the Nu:BC Collective. This arrangement of Rückert-Lieder was created using Mahler’s original manuscript housed at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York as well as the score included in the 1974 edition of Mahler’s Sämtliche Werke, Kritische Gesamtausgabe.

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