Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, whatever be its intrinsic merit, that can be decided only by time and wear, undoubtedly marks a high point of orchestral splendor, in the regard of length and of the complexity of resources.  By the latter is meant not so much the actual list of instruments as the pervading and accumulating use of thematic machinery.[A]

[Footnote A:  The symphony is probably the longest instrumental work that had appeared at the time of its production in 1904.  The list of instruments comprises 4 flutes, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon, 6 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, kettle-drums, cymbals, bass-drum, snare-drum, triangle, glockenspiel, gong, harp and strings.

Compared with D’Indy’s Second Symphony, the Fifth of Mahler has a larger body of brass as well as of woodwind.]

The plan of movements is very original and in a way, two-fold.  There are three great divisions, of which the first comprises a Funeral March, and an untitled Allegro in vehement motion.  The second division has merely the single movement, Scherzo.  In the third are an Adagietto and a Rondo Finale.

I.—­1.  Funeral March.—­A call of trumpet, of heroic air and tread, is answered by strident chords ending in a sonorous motive of horns that leads to the funeral trip, of low brass.  The mournful song of the principal melody appears presently in the strings, then returns to the funeral trip and to the strident chords.  The first trumpet motive now sounds with this clanging phrase and soon the original call abounds in other brass.  The deep descending notes of the horns recur and the full song of the funeral melody much extended, growing into a duet of cellos and high woodwind,

[Music:  (Strings, bassoons and clarinets)]

and further into hymnal song on a new motive.

[Music:  (Wood, horns and strings) (Bass notes in lowest wood and strings)]

So the various melodies recur with new mood and manner.  Suddenly, in fierce abandon, a martial tramp of the full band resounds, in gloomy minor,

[Music:  Suddenly faster.  Impassioned
(Rapid descending figure in violins)
(Trumpet)
(Trombones)
(Tuba and strings)]

the violins in rapid rage of wailing figure:  the trumpet strikes the firm note of heroic plaint.

Wild grief breaks out on all sides, the strings singing in passionate answer to the trumpet, the high wood carrying on the rapid motion.  At the height of the storm the woodwind gain control with measured rhythm of choral melody.  Or perhaps the real height is the expressive double strain, in gentle pace, of the strings, and the wood descending from on high.

[Music:  (Woodwind doubled below) (Strings doubled above) espressivo (Brass and strings)]

The duet is carried on in wilder mood by most of the voices.

A return to the solemn pace comes by imperceptible change, the softer hues of grief merging with the fiercer cries.  Now various strains sound together,—­the main funeral melody in the woodwind.