The Longest Symphony Ever Written: Mahler's Third Symphony

To serious composers, a symphony represents the most complex and detailed of musical ideas; as well as the most complex and detailed of all musical structures.

Mahler wrote 9 symphonies (10 if you count Das Lied von Der Erde). Some of them embodying different aspects of 19th century Christianity. Mahler had been raised a non-practicing Jew, and he felt left out from his own culture during his younger years. The end result to all of this would be his conversion to Catholicism. Although some people say this was a cover up so he could get the post as the chief conductor of the Vienna Opera. This post was an imperial post in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and no Jews were allowed to occupy it; unless and if they converted to the Christian faith. Mahler was made the chief conductor of the Vienna Opera in 1897, and it was around this time that he finished his behemoth third symphony.

In this symphony, Mahler wanted to convey everything he had learned from his musical icons: Beethoven, Berlioz, Liszt, and especially and above all: Wagner. One could say he wanted to make his third symphony "The Ring" of symphonies. Back then, Wagner's "Ring Cycle" was considered to be the longest operatic work ever written lasting approximately 14 hours in length. In turn, Mahler wanted to write the longest symphony ever written lasting close to 2 hours in length.

The work is in six movements and represents all the many different aspects of 19th century living/beliefs. One might say it's an all in one symphony. World creation from a Greco-Roman perspective; Nihilism from Nietzsche's philosophical perspective; and Christianity from an Austro-German perspective. The work calls for enormous orchestral forces, as well as chorus/soloists. Depending upon the conductor (conductors vary slightly in their tempi, speed, etc), the work can last between 95-110 minutes (close to two hours) in length.

First movement: this movement represents creation. The Greek god Pan is made reference to in this gigantic orchestral movement which lasts from 30-35 minutes. This movement is serious yet playful at the same time. Since Mahler uses Liszt's cyclical system in his symphonies; the themes from this movement are recycled and make a come back in the final movement of the symphony.

Second movement: this movement is a minuet. It's probably the longest minuet ever written.

Third movement: this movement is a scherzo. It lasts around 15-18 minutes.

Fourth movement: this movement is taken from Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" (Book 4, end of "The Drunken Song."). It is sung by alto solo and orchestra.

Fifth movement: "Des Knaben Wonderhorn." This movement is for chorus and orchestra. It is a poem taken from the "Wunderhorn" anthology, and makes reference to a conversation between Jesus and Peter.

Sixth movement: is the second longest movement . It's around 25 minutes in length. The themes from the first movement are recycled in this movement in such a fashion that unless you're musically trained you might not know what is going on. It is a purely orchestral movement, no chorus.