Mahler's symphonies

English name

Gustav Mahler

Life

1860–1911

Country

Austria

Mainly active in

Born in Bohemia (Austrian Empire), active as a conductor in Vienna and New York

Symphony

9 symphonies

In a line

Late Romantic composer and conductor who wrote Das Lied von der Erde and more

Fun to know

• The finale of Symphony No. 6 features a "hammer" as a percussion instrument
• The fourth movement of Symphony No. 7 features a guitar and mandolin
• Symphony No. 9 was premiered in Vienna in 1912, after Mahler's death, under Bruno Walter

9 symphonies

• Symphony No. 1 "Titan"D major · 1888 · about 55 minThe nursery song "Frère Jacques" becomes a funeral march
• Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"C minor · 1894 · about 80 minA clue to "Resurrection" found at a funeral
• Symphony No. 3D minor · 1896 · about 95 minThe longest of the commonly performed symphonies
• Symphony No. 4G major · 1900 · about 55 minBegins with sleigh bells and ends with a song of heaven
• Symphony No. 5C♯ minor · 1902 · about 70 minThe Adagietto is a love letter to Alma
• Symphony No. 6 "Tragic"A minor · 1904 · about 80 minThe blow of fate is struck with a real hammer
• Symphony No. 7 "Song of the Night"E minor · 1905 · about 80 minA symphony that began with a rhythm that came to him while rowing
• Symphony No. 8 "Symphony of a Thousand"E♭ major · 1906 · about 85 min"Symphony of a Thousand": the name was a concert promoter's doing
• Symphony No. 9D major · 1909 · about 80 minHe tried to avoid the "curse of the Ninth," but...