Mahler, the quintessential Symphonist

His first symphony was in five movements & called "The Titan." But later Mahler cut the second movement called "Blumine". But now many recordings contain "Blumine" also. The funeral March, which contains a parody of "Frere Jacques" in the minor scale, is also justly famous.

The second, is named "The Resurrection", because of the text of its choral finale. The  development section is drawn tightly as a knot, & the contralto setting of the "Urlicht" is superbly beautiful in the finale as Harold Trusscott puts it.

The third, Mahler's longest, has six movements, the fifth having a children's chorus, imitating bells. The premiere was so successful that Mahler was called back to the podium 12 times & the ovation lasted 15 minutes!

The fourth, Mahler's shortest, is unique in having in its fourth & last movement, a text describing a child's view of heaven, sung by a soprano solo.

The fifth reverts to the five movement formula, with counterpoint (intertwining melodies) being predominant & the 4th movement Adagietto being one of the most lovely pieces of music. It is also played on its own separately.

The sixth, nicknamed "The Tragic" has four movements, the last borrowing some of the tragic elements from the first.

The seventh, may be imagined as a journey from dusk to dawn, but generally cheerful & optimistic. But it was not well received.

The eighth, called "The Symphony of a Thousand" because of the massive forces required, is the first completely choral symphony. The first part is set to the Latin text "Veni, Creator, Spiritus" & the second to the closing verses of Goethe's "Faust."

The last, the ninth, though having four movements, the first & last are slow, the third being a "Rondo-Burlesque."

Through these nine symphonies, Mahler displays his "Weltanschauung" (World View.)