Symphony No. 2 "THE RESURRECTION"

by Gustav Mahler

First Movement.

The composer, standing in the fierce wind at the edge of a precipice, reflects on the meaning of life and death, remembering his recently deceased friend. A large pillar lies broken and fallen, a giant footstep left in the sand is soon to be washed away by the sea. A glimmer of hope is shown by the ship heading for the shore and the white blossoms bursting forth on the apparently dead, gnarled tree. The torturous movement of lines in the clouds and the rocks reflect the turmoil of emotions experienced by the mourner.