Inside Mahler's Second Symphony

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This guide introduces concertgoers, serious listeners, and music students to Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony, one of his most popular and powerful works. It explores Mahler's struggle to create the New Symphony, his innovative approaches to traditional musical forms, and the challenges of composing on a monumental scale, particularly in relation to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The central focus is on the music itself: how it functions, captivates listeners, and expresses the profound existential themes motivating the symphony. Additionally, the book brings the Listener's Guide into the digital age with 185 audio examples that are brief, accessible, and arranged to simulate a classroom discussion. Each movement is presented uninterrupted, with light annotations to reinforce key concepts. Readers can also refer to the orchestral score, as each musical event in the uninterrupted presentation is keyed to its location. This innovative blend of in-depth analysis and multimedia exploration offers a remarkable introduction to a masterpiece of the symphonic repertoire.