Mahler's Sixth Symphony: The Third Strike Rule

This is by far Mahler's most controversial symphony; even if its not his most famous or most often performed. The symphony is paradoxical: sources say Mahler was actually quite happy/content when he wrote it. Alma Mahler (Mahler's wife) devoted a great deal of time after Mahler's death attaching stories and myths to his works (symphonies), whether they were fact or fiction no one really knows to date.

Even though Mahler started the work in 1903, he didn't completed until 1906. The work received its first performance in Essen, May 27th 1906.

The symphony calls for enormous orchestral forces. Also, like most of Mahler's symphonies; the work lasts over 1-hour in length. Large woodwind section; large brass section; large percussion section; and a very large string section: like many of Mahler's works; there are movements which require larger orchestral forces than others; the 4th and final movement is not only the longest movement of the symphony, but it also requires the largest orchestral forces to be performed.

First movement:

The symphony starts off with a march like tune. Leonard Bernstein was one of the first musicians to make note of this fact; Bernstein said that much of Mahler's music was either song-like, march like, or waltz like. Bernstein said that some of Mahler's music was derived from 19^th century Jewish village style music. Even though Mahler wasn't raised as a practicing Jew, he'd oftentimes make reference to this style of music in his symphonies.

Second movement:

Is a march-like scherzo.

Third movement:

It's a song like movement akin to Mahler's Wunderhorn period (his first four symphonies). The movement is also close in nature to the 4th movement of Mahler's Symphony No. 5.

Fourth movement:

Is the final and most controversial movement of the symphony. From its eerie start to it's eerie end. The string tremolos which open the movement are unnerving to say the least, then the timpani starts pounding away in an unusual fashion. The other problem is the A minor key which the movement is written in. The minor key in music implies sadness, tragedy (this symphony has been called Mahler's tragic symphony by some), and agony...This is a passionate movement. The whole "Strike Three" doesn't occur until the very finale of the work. The three final strikes were written with a large musical hammer in mind, yet just before Mahler sent it to his publisher; Mahler removed two of the hammer strikes and replaced them with regular drums (timpani's/bass drums, etc). Mahler was superstitious and thought by removing the hammer blows ( two of them anyway) and replacing them with just simple/typical orchestral blows he would be okay. When it was all said and done; Mahler only removed two of the hammer blows in the finale. A few years later; Mahler's daughter died; Mahler was forced to resign from the Vienna Opera, and a doctor diagnosed him of his impending doom. Rumors say he referenced this symphony by saying: "The three final strikes sealed my fate...."