My next suggestion is Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony, also known as “The Resurrection” Symphony. Mahler wrote nine complete symphonies, and started a tenth, which he never finished. His Second Symphony is a beast though, and a favorite for Mahler listeners. It can range anywhere from 70 to 90 minutes long, depending on who is conducting, but don’t let this scare you off. I strongly recommend giving it a listen, the ending is well worth the wait, not to mention the whole piece, which is fantastic. Anyway, Mahler wrote the five movement behemoth over the course of six years, beginning in 1888, and finishing it up in 1894. He wrote the first movement over the first year, and proceeded to write the next three movements by 1893. It wasn’t until after the death of his friend, Hans von Bulow, that he was finally inspired to write the fifth movement, which includes chorus. It was after hearing Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock’s Die Auferstehung (The Resurrection) that he decided to write his fifth movement based on the text of this poem.
Unlike most of his music, Mahler had a narrative for this piece. The setting of the first movement is a funeral, in which questions such as, “Is there life after death?” are asked. The second movement recalls the happy times in the life of the deceased. The third, written in a scherzo (a dance), there is a complete loss in faith, and the belief that life is meaningless presides over the movement. The fourth, an unusually short movement, especially compared to the 30 minute fifth movement, but one of my favorites, is called Urlicht, or Primeval Light, and is a beautiful song sung by an alto in which faith and a belief in Christ as Savior is again realized. In the fifth movement, elements from the previous four movements are referenced, such as doubts and questions from the first movement. The character finally becomes sure of God’s love, and the belief in everlasting life is sure. This movement is especially impressive as Mahler masterfully uses alto and soprano solos combined with chorus, great brass, and suspensful wind and string writing.
Enjoy.
2 comments:
Thank you for your great description of this piece.
I'm actually listening to it right now... I have a recording of Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic. In this recording, Mvt. 3 is the Scherzo and Mvt. 2 is "Andante Moderato", which seems to be the movement, as you say, with the complete loss of faith... Are these movements usually switched? (you say the Scherzo is the 2nd Mvt. and the other is the 3rd...)
I've been enjoying going through these "doses"! Thanks for giving me an idea of some good stuff to listen to!!
I finally got to Mvt 5 today. You are right. It is totally worth waiting for. It has brought tears to my eyes as I sit listening to it while I work!
Post a Comment