Symphony No. 3 in D Minor – Second Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Tempo di Menuetto. Sehr mässig. (Very moderate)Key: A major (with contrasting sections in F-sharp minor)Time Signature: mostly triple meter (3/4, 3/8, 9/8) with occasional duple meter (2/4)Basic rhythm: minuet or slow ländler alternating with quick-step dance rhythmsForm: ABABA (rondo with variations)

Symphony No. 3 in D Minor – First Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Kräftig . Entschieden. (Forcefully and decidedly)Key: D minor to F major with numerous intermittent modulationsTime Signature: 4/4, changing to various other meters throughout the movementForm: Extended sonata form with introduction and codaPrincipal Material: funeral march and popular military march in alternation

Symphony No. 3 in D Minor – Introduction

Listening Guide   The Work Date(s) of Composition: 1895-1896; published by Weinberger in 1898; Universal Edition in 1901; revised 1906.Place of Composition: SteinbachPremiere: 9 June 1902, Krefeld Orchestration: 4 flutes (one doubles with piccolo); 4 oboes (4th doubles with English horn); 3 clarinets in B-flat (3rd doubles with bass clarinet); 2 clarinets in E-flat (2d… Continue reading Symphony No. 3 in D Minor – Introduction

Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Fifth Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: In ruhig fliessender Bewegung (In calmly flowing motion)Principal Key: C minor (C major in the trio)Time Signature: 3/8.Rhythm: fast ländler with a sixteenth-note ostinato.Form: Scherzo and trio. ChorusAuferstehn, ja auferstehn wirst du,Mein Staub, nach kurzer Ruh!Unsterblich LebenWird, der dich rief, dir geben.   Wieder aufzublühn, wirst du gesät!Der Herr… Continue reading Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Fifth Movement

Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Fourth Movement

Listening Guide   The Work “Urlicht” (“Primal Light”) from “Des Knaben Wunderhorn”Tempo: Sehr feierlich aber schlicht (Choralmässig) (very solemn but modestly simple) [Like a chorale]Key: D-flat major (middle section begins in B-flat minor)Time Signature: 4/4 (with alternating meter shifts).Form: Though-composed in ABA structure. O Röschen rot!Der mensch liegt in größter Not!Der mensch liegt in größter… Continue reading Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Fourth Movement

Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Third Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: In ruhig fliessender Bewegung (In calmly flowing motion)Principal Key: C minor (C major in the trio)Time Signature: 3/8.Rhythm: fast ländler with a sixteenth-note ostinato.Form: Scherzo and trio.

Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Second Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Im Tempo des Scherzos; Wild herausfahrend; Langsam, Allegro energico, nicht zu schnell; Kräftig; Mit einem Male etwas wuchtiger; Mit etwas drängendem Charakter; Langsam. Misterioso, etc. (In the tempo of the Scherzo; a wild outburst; slowly; energetically fast, without rushing; powerfully; somewhat weightier; somewhat pressed; slowly, mysteriously etc.)Key: C minor/major,… Continue reading Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Second Movement

Symphony No.2 in C Minor – First Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Allegro Maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck. (with serious and solemn expression throughout).Principal Key: C minor (second subject in E major)Time Signature and Rhythm: 4/4, slow funeral march.Form: Modified and expanded sonata allegro form.

Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Introduction

Listening Guide   The Work Date(s) of Composition: 1888-1894; published by Hofmeister, Leipzig in 1897Place of Composition: Leipzig, Hamburg and SteinbachPremiere: first three movements: 4 March 1895; complete symphony: 13 December 1895 both given in Berlin under Mahler’s direction. Orchestration:4 flutes (doubling with piccolo); 4 oboes (3rd and 4th double with English horn); 4 clarinets… Continue reading Symphony No.2 in C Minor – Introduction

Symphony No.1 in D Major – Fourth Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Stürmisch Bewegt (With Stormy Agitation). Energisch. Mit Grosser Wildheit (Energetic. With Great Fury) Key: F Minor/D-Flat; Numerous Keys During Development (G Minor; C Major; D Major, F Major/Minor) Ending In D Major (B-Flat To D Major) Time Signature: Alla Breve (With 4/4 During The Return Of Symphony’s Introduction) Form: Expanded… Continue reading Symphony No.1 in D Major – Fourth Movement