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

Symphony No.1 in D Major – First Movement

Listening Guide   The Work Tempo: Langsam. Schleppend (“Wie Ein Naturlaut”); Immer Sehr Gemächlich (Slowly. Dragging (Like The Sound Of Nature); Always Very Relaxed) Key: D Major, D Major Time Signature: 4/4 And Alla Breve (Cut-Time) Form: Modified Sonata With Introduction And Coda.    

Symphony No.1 in D Major – Introduction

Listening Guide   The Work Date(s) of Composition: 1884-1888; published 1899, revised 1906 Place of Composition: Kassel, Leipzig and Budapest Premiere: 20 November 1889 in Budapest Orchestration: 4 flutes (including piccolo), 4 oboes (including English horn), 4 clarinets in B, A and C (including bass clarinet in B and piccolo clarinet in E-flat), 3 bassoons (including contrabassoon), 7… Continue reading Symphony No.1 in D Major – Introduction