Composer

:

Gustav Mahler

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1888 - 1894

Publication Date

:

1897 - 1903

First Performance

:

Dec 13, 1895

Average_duration

:

80:05

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 in C minor, also known as the Resurrection Symphony, was composed between 1888 and 1894. The premiere of the work took place in Berlin on December 13, 1895, with Mahler himself conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The symphony is divided into five movements. The first movement, marked Allegro maestoso, is a dramatic and intense introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, marked Andante moderato, is a gentle and lyrical contrast to the first movement. The third movement, marked In ruhig fließender Bewegung, is a scherzo that features a hauntingly beautiful solo for the oboe. The fourth movement, marked Urlicht, is a song for alto soloist and orchestra that serves as a kind of interlude before the final movement. The fifth and final movement, marked Im Tempo des Scherzos, is a massive choral finale that features a text by Mahler himself. The Resurrection Symphony is characterized by its grandeur and emotional intensity. Mahler was known for his use of massive orchestras and unconventional instrumentation, and this symphony is no exception. The work features a large orchestra, including eight horns, four trumpets, four trombones, and a tuba, as well as a chorus and two soloists. The symphony's title, Resurrection, refers to the text of the final movement, which describes the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of the soul. Mahler was deeply interested in questions of life, death, and the afterlife, and this symphony reflects those preoccupations. The work is a powerful meditation on the human condition, and its emotional impact has made it one of Mahler's most beloved works.

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