Mahler Symphony No. 9 - 1st Movement - Listening Guide

The first movement embraces a loose sonata form. The key areas provide a continuation of the tonal juxtaposition displayed in earlier works (notably the Symphonies No. 6 and No. 7). The work opens with a hesitant, syncopated rhythmic motif (which Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) suggested is a depiction of Mahler’s irregular heartbeat, which is heard throughout the movement).The brief introduction also presents two other ideas: a three-note motif announced by the harp that provides much of the m...