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Mahler · Gustav Mahler

Mahler Symphony No. 6 in A minor "Tragic"

The blow of fate is struck with a real hammer

Key
A minor
Composed
1904
Premiere
1906 Essen
Duration
About 80 min
Movements
4 movements
Instrumentation
Woodwinds 5·5·5·5 (including piccolo, English horn, E♭ clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabassoon) · Brass 8·6·4·1 · Timpani (2 players) · Percussion (hammer, cowbells (including offstage), offstage low bells, bass drum, snare drum, cymbals, triangle, tam-tam, glockenspiel, xylophone, whip, rute) · 2 harps · Celesta · Strings

The story behind this piece

The nickname "Tragic" is not a title Mahler wrote in the score. He reportedly let the name be used for a time and later withdrew it. It was premiered in Essen on May 27, 1906, with Mahler conducting.

The most famous feature is the "hammer" in the finale. Mahler at first included more hammer blows and then cut them down, finally erasing the third blow and leaving just two. Alma recalled that these blows were the blows of fate that struck Mahler, but since that comes from Alma alone, some take the view that it can't be accepted at face value.

The powerfully soaring second theme in the first movement is called the "Alma theme." It's a melody with which Mahler tried to portray his wife Alma in music.

The order of the two middle movements is still debated today. It was first published as Scherzo–Andante, but Mahler switched to Andante–Scherzo at the premiere rehearsals. That's why conductors still choose different orders today.

What to listen for

  • Fourth movement (finale): the big hammer comes down with a "thud" twice. Which hammer the percussionist uses is something to watch for, too.
  • First movement and Andante: you can hear cowbells that evoke a mountain landscape.
  • First movement: listen for the powerfully soaring "Alma theme."

Listen · Score

Credits