The Symphony No. 4 in G major by Gustav Mahler was written in 1899 and 1900, though it incorporates a song originally written in 1892. The song, "Das himmlische Leben", presents a child's vision of Heaven. It is sung by a soprano in the work's fourth and last movement ...
Moderately, not rushed, Sonata form. Flutes and sleigh bells open the unusually restrained first movement (and used later with a melodic theme known commonly as the 'bell theme', which helps define sections throughout the movement) often described as possessing classical poise. As would be expected for the first movement ...
- Scherzo.
- Violin solo.
Leisurely moving, without haste. Scherzo and Trio. The second movement is a scherzo that features a part for a solo violin whose strings are tuned a tone higher than usual. The violin depicts Freund Hein, (lit. "Friend Henry") a figure from medieval German art; Hain ...
Peacefully, somewhat slowly. Theme and variations. The third movement is a solemn processional march cast as a set of variations. Mahler uses the theme and variation structure in a more unconventional way.
This movement can be divided into five main sections: A1 – B1 – A2 – ...
Was originally part of Des Knaben Wunderhorn. See: Introduction Des Knaben Wunderhorn, 12 songs number 3.
Very comfortably. Strophic. The fourth movement opens with a relaxed, bucolic scene in G major. A child, voiced by a soprano, presents a sunny, naive vision of Heaven and describes the ...
Woodwind
- 3 Bassoon.
- 3 Clarinet A.
- 3 Clarinet Bb.
- 2 Clarinet C.
- 1 Clarinet Eb
- 1 Contra bassoon. Solo in
- 1 Cor Anglais (English horn).
- 4 Flute.
- 3 Oboe.
- 2 Piccolo.
Brass
- 4 Horn F (French horn). Solo in
- 3 Trumpet Bb.
- 3 Trumpets F.
String ...