Mahler - Symphony no.2 "Resurrection" (movement 5): Score and Analysis

[@JakobSpindler]

In the finale, we finally get answers to the questions set up by the first movement. The development section reminds us of all the suffering we’ve endured and witnessed before the recapitulation reassures us that all our suffering hasn’t been for nothing and that we’ll be united with God once again. I'm skeptical at calling this finale a judgment day, as is the popular belief, as Mahler’s God doesn’t judge at all. Rather, he blesses all living things with eternal love and offers them an everlasting, transcendent renewal. When inspected from afar, the finale seems to be in a sonata form with instrumental exposition and development, and a recapitulation where the choir joins. However, if we take a closer look, we can see some crucial changes made to the sonata form that change its trajectory and purpose completely. The exposition for example doesn’t only introduce materials, but also develops and elaborates on its themes substantially - a role usually reserved for the development section. And in the development section, Mahler seems to take us out of the sonata form, as he greatly elaborates on the dissonant and chaotic world of the introduction. And now the job of the themes is to overcome the chaos and suffering of the development section by bringing the music safely back to the recapitulation. They go through many amazing transformations in a dramatic battle with chaos and dissonance, before finally succeeding at reaching the recapitulation - in the wrong key! In fact, the next half of the movement consists of even more elaboration on the themes by the choir, as they gradually come closer and closer to Eb major. An even more subtle, but genius addition made to the sonata form, is the seamless integration of a theme (I’ll refer to it as “the rising theme”, as it consists of a simple descending fifth, followed by a sublime rising major scale) that is not directly included in the sonata itself. Instead, its hints and fragments are hidden in the texture, slowly gaining strength as the movement progresses. Mahler builds insane anticipation for a grandiose statement of the theme by making it just a bit more confident with each appearance. But it is only outside of the sonata space that the rising theme takes the foreground, slowly and sublimely rising to one of the most deservingly famous climaxes in the whole classical repertoire. The facts that this is the first time that we hear the fully developed version of the theme that has been teasing us for the last 30 minutes, and that it is only here, outside of the sonata space, that we finally reach the home key of Eb major, make this moment that much more powerful and emotionally rewarding. And the message of this alteration to sonata form is clear. The sublime rising theme isn't just presented to us as any other theme, but is a direct product of our struggle. It is through the chaos and suffering of the movement that the theme is slowly and gradually molded and formed, reaching its final form only after we've directly faced the existential questions that have put us on this path in the first place. The renewal isn't reached despite our struggle, but because of it.

[@JakobSpindler]

Rise again, yes, you will rise again. My dust, after a short rest! Immortal life He who called you will give to you. To blossom again you are sown! The lord of the harvest goes And gathers, like sheaves, We who died. O believe, my heart, o believe: Nothing is lost to you! It is yours, what you desired. It is yours, what you loved, what you struggled for. O believe: You were not born in vain! You have not lived, suffered in vain! What came into being, it must cease to be! What passed away, it must rise again! Stop trembling! Prepare yourself to live! Oh grief! You all-penetrator! I am forced to you O death! You all-conqueror! Now you are defeated! With wings that I won for myself In fervent pursuit of love I will waft away To the light that no eye has penetrated I shall die in order to live. Rise again, yes, you will rise again, My heart, in a moment! What you bested It will carry you to God!

[@WilliamTeller]

This is an incredible break down, thank you!

[@rominn2184]

The majesty, the absolute sublimity, the eternal.. Those last several bars from the "Noch Schneller" simply undo me. I am brought to my knees in tears.

[@classicalricky]

Those final few minutes are quite possibly some of the best in classical music

[@kaypie3112]

Without a doubt!!!

[@leestamm3187]

Well done here as with the other movements. You explored the structure and content of this complex Mahler masterwork without straying too far into the metaphysical haze in which some analysts lose their way.

[@CarlosLalonde]

Yes! I've been waiting for movement 5 :)

[@stephanfrank1253]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@manglecoeg]

Very good

[@ShaunakDesaiPiano]

Yes! Mahler 2 is now finished! What’s next?

[@JakobSpindler]

I kind of stayed in a Mahler mood to be honest...

[@ShaunakDesaiPiano]

@@JakobSpindler haha while Beethoven is my personal favourite Mahler is awesome! How many consecutive Mahlers can we expect? edit: hoping for Mahler 8!

[@ShaunakDesaiPiano]

@@JakobSpindler also can I just say that Mahler symphonies are among the hardest to understand on the first few listens, so to someone who wants to understand Mahler symphonies for the universe-encompassing masterworks they are with all the musical detail, these videos are genuinely the best! This is the best score analysis channel I’ve seen, just thought you should know.

[@JakobSpindler]

@@ShaunakDesaiPiano Thank you! I really appreciate it. I'll probably make one more Mahler analysis, and then do other composers for a while.

[@ShaunakDesaiPiano]

@@JakobSpindler that’s awesome! The reason I say Mahler 8 is because in October they’re playing Mahler 8 in Royal Albert Hall which I’d love to watch while understanding everything but of course it’s completely your choice which Mahler symphony you upload.

[@unnamed_boi]

A S C E N D D D D D

[@Jakub..1]

nice

[@maheshpadalingam3137]

Fianle Edit: Maybe I was too subtle with it. This is how it's pronounced in the thumbnail. Hope it helps.