Mahler Symphonies Trivia Quiz

Answer: 10

Shortly before his death in 1911, Mahler began a "Tenth Symphony." He all but completed its first movement and made extensive sketches for subsequent movements; Deryck Cooke, among others, would attempt to complete this work later in the 20th Century. Das Lied, effectively a symphony, was published after the "Eighth Symphony" and before the "Ninth," but Mahler refused to label this work accordingly: there is a superstition about composers dying after the completion of their ninth symphonies (e.g. Beethoven, Dvorak, Bruckner).

But despite his best efforts to avoid such a fate, Mahler's "Ninth" would be his last.

Answer: Seventh

The "Second," "Third," "Fourth" and "Eighth" Symphonies all contain choral and/or solo vocal movements.

Answer: Sixth

Despite being dubbed the "Tragic Symphony," Mahler's "Sixth" is, in fact, a study in contrasts. The first movement evokes both Germanic militarism and the Bohemian countryside; the third movement is intensely personal and yet at times unrestrained; the fourth movement is simultaneously tragic and bizarre.

Answer: Fourth

The opening movement of the "Fourth Symphony" is one of Mahler's most jovial and lighthearted. The first movement of the "Fifth Symphony" lies on the opposite end of the spectrum; it's nothing short of accompaniment for a funeral procession.

Answer: Chinese

Mahler found his inspiration for this work in a book of Chinese poems adapted by German poet Hans Bethge, called "Die chinesiche Flöte." "Das Lied" synthesizes Germanic and Chinese musical idioms in a decidedly effective, distinctly Mahlerian manner.

Answer: Third

An exposé of nature, the "Third Symphony" is nearly two hours long and consists of six movements. Though not nearly as popular as his first two symphonies, Mahler was, at the time of its composition, convinced that the "Third" was the greatest work he had composed to date.

Answer: Frere Jacques

Mahler transposes Frère Jacuqes into a minor key (D Minor) in this memorable movement. What begins as a morose contrabass solo at the beginning of the movement evolves into lively Klezmer-sounding dance later on.

Answer: Des Knaben Wunderhorn

The movement is directly based on "Urlicht" from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" ("Youth's Magic Horn"). Another such example is the first movement of the "First Symphony," which draws heavily upon "Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen" ("Song of a Wayfarer").

Answer: F Major

This movement is for harp and strings alone. Its simple but hypnotic theme pervades the entire length of the movement.

Answer: Goethe's "Faust"

Hungarian composer Franz Lizst also wrote "A Faust Symphony." The other three works, however, have also been set to music: Verdi made "Macbeth" into an opera, Stravinsky set "Oedipus the King," and Leonard Bernstein took care of "Candide."

Answer: Ninth, Das Lied, and Fourth

The "Second" and "Eighth" Symphonies, in particular, boast magnificently grand (if not protracted) conclusions, both complete with chorus and pipe organ. The ethereal finale of the "Ninth Symphony" truly dies with a whimper--many speculate this is Mahler's official valediction (although others would contend that the subsequently composed first movement of the "Tenth Symphony" serves as an equally poignant farewell).

Answer: First, Ninth, and Tenth

The openings of the "Second," "Third," "Sixth" and "Eighth" Symphonies would startle most people out of a sound sleep! The "First Symphony" opens rather mysteriously and is slightly reminiscent of a passage from the final movement of Johannes Brahms' "Second Symphony." The first movement of the "Ninth" is widely considered to be Mahler's most technically refined.

The opening movement of the "Tenth" is arguably a departure from Mahler's earlier tonal language; it too opens modestly but quickly culminates into a stirring melody in F-Sharp Major.

Answer: Sixth

Got milk? Mahler makes use of a cowbell throughout the "Sixth Symphony" to evoke the pastoral imagery of the Alps. Mahler stopped short of using a cow itself; such a stunt would have assuredly distracted his listeners!

Answer: First, Fourth, Sixth and Ninth

By the late 19th Century/early 20th Century, the four-movement symphony in the tradition of Haydn and Mozart was falling out of fashion. Mahler's "Eighth" ("Symphony of a Thousand') is actually split up into two distinct parts, the second of which runs continuously for close to an hour!

Answer: It means "stand up" and is a literal instruction to the horns in the finale of the "First Symphony."

On the last page of the "First Symphony," Mahler instructs his entire horn section to stand up. Given how much the brass instruments sustain the finale of this symphony, this is perhaps well-deserved recognition!