Gstav Mahler "Resurrection" 1

“Resurrection ” is the symphony No.2 of Gustav Mahler. Gustav Mahler wrote about 10 of unique and large-scale symphonies. This “Resurrection” is the most large-scale and has a dramatic force. The original title of “Resurrection” is “Auferstehung” in German. This means religious “revival of the dead”. Mahler wrote this symphony, because he was impressed by a poem which has theme “death for life”. He used the theme as a text in the fifth movement, so this symphony named “Resurrection”. Mahler’s music often has theme about “death”, and this “Resurrection” is the masterpiece in them.

The composition of this music takes after the ninth symphony of Beethoven. The first movement is the manner of a funeral march. The end movement is in major key and connected with resurrection. This form also takes after the Beethoven’s it.

The formation of this music is large-scale too. The following musical instruments are used. Four flutes, one piccolo, four oboes, a cor anglais, three clarinets, a bass clarinet, two small clarinet, four bassoons, a contra bassoon, six horns, six trumpets, four trombones, a tuba, timpani, bass drum, a tabor, cymbals, a triangle, a tam-tam, a glockenspiel, bells, whips, organ, harp, and five parts of the strings. And as parts of vocal, a soprano solo, an alto solo, mixed chorus are required. Besides, many the brass and percussion are required at the back of the stage. It is hard to gather such many members, so this music is not easy to play. This music especially has a holy nature.


The first movement

~Allegro maestoso. “Keep completely serious and have a expression solemn”~

This movement is a funeral marsh for a hero. At the first, the high string start tremolo, and the row string play the first motif on and off. The audience probably thinks that how this music unfolds. And the parts of woodwind instruments play the melody which is rising. The melody takes after funeral march. Then, the brass and cymbals join in them, and the music warms up hardly. The second motif has the string sound which is full with longing. So far the music has the dark mood, so the beautiful sound of the string is listened as if it is rising to the surface in another world.
The brass plays the first motif again. Horns and the row string play the new motif. It involves with the first motif, and they develop solid.

The part of evolution consists three parts. The first part is played by violins. At the first the melody is mild and like countryside, but the acrid first motif gain the force gradually, and it made the way to the end. The second part is played by flutes. At the first, the melody is also mild and like a countryside, but the acrid first motif gain the force gradually, and the music head to the third part. After the timpani play the first motif, the row string move dimly and eerie, and they make the intense climax with the first motif.
The climax is like a funeral march, and played in a very faint sound. But suddenly the music run down like scales, and the movement is end.
After that according to original score, should take a rest.


(550 words)