Gustav Mahler composed his 'Wunderhornlieder' (Songs from the Youth's Magic Horn) between 1892 and 1901. Just half of the 'Wunderhornlieder' have military subjects but beside those there are songs with humoristic or ironic elements sometimes resulting in strange or funny sound effects and songs (often lovesongs) which are primarily lyrical in tone. All songs have in common very typical contrasts by sudden change of atmosphere and an orchestration that combines unusually fine subtlety with a great range of colours.
'Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen' belongs to the military 'Wunderhornlieder' and was composed in 1895. The beauty of truth and not the beauty of romantic make-believe, so evident for Mahler's songs, is very outstanding in this beautiful piece.