Gstav Mahler "Resurrection" 5

The fifth movement

The music describes the eternal resurrection of the hero who given final judge after the end of the life. This is a large-scale music. The formation is also so big. This consist three parts.
Suddenly, the music starts with an intense sound. And trumpet and trombone play the first theme. Then the horn plays the second theme softly on the eerie melody with the row string. This theme is called the theme of a comfort. The horn plays the first motif again on and off. The violins play softly tremolo, and the woodwind plays the fourth motif on the violins. This warm up gradually. The music becomes energetic, and is settled the fever. The first part comes to the end.

The second part is the part of evolution, and consists two parts. After the roll of a snare drum, the brass plays impressed melody, and an activity move start. A tension continues in first part, and the motif like- funeral march of the first movement appears at the final. In second part, the brass plays the motif of the first part. After that, the third part starts.

First, the string and trumpets play the second theme. Then, after the horn sounded like echoes at the backstage. The music is continued by brass at the backstage for awhile. And flute and piccolo join it. This indicates a nightingale singing.



Over one hour has already passed since the symphony started.
The mixed chorus starts to sing the praise “resurrection” with expression mysterious. This is the motif of resurrection recent. The orchestra plays the second motif, and has a mood emotional. The solo sings the forth motif, and chorus starts to sing the motif of resurrection again. The string, the alto solo, the soprano solo and the organ start to make the climax. All orchestra parts and chorus join it. The music is so powerful and spiritual. And it comes to the end as if all sounds are sublimated to heaven.





I have a CD of “Resurrection”. It was played by Saito Kinen Orchestra. The conductor is Seiji Ozawa. The performance is so solemn. I think that it is cool. I like it.

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