Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major ~ Movement III Feierlich Und Gemessen, Ohne Zu Schleppen
Mahler’s inspiration for this movement was a children’s woodcut (above) by the artist, Moritz von Schwind. The illustration depicts a torch-lit funeral procession of animals carrying a fallen huntsman.To describe this ironic and amusing scene, Mahler juxtaposes various musical themes in the movement to recreate the sense of irony the scene represents. The huntsman’s funeral is firstly evoked by a minor mode version of the children’s round ‘Frère Jacques’, then the oboes and trumpets offer a mock sentimental accompaniment in a Jewish Klezmer dance. A dreamlike melody from Mahler’s ‘Songs of a Wayfarer’ is an interlude in the movement, and finally, the march returns back with a sudden rush of pace with the animals of the forest rushing the huntsman towards his grave. The irony of the movement? How unhappy are these animals with the huntsman’s death?
Performed by Leonard Bernstein; Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra