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World events, societys lifestyles, and cultural backgrounds present significant factors influencing the process of music creation and reception. Furthermore, by using historical information and music theory, one can thoroughly imagine how the music might have sounded when the composer wrote it. This essay will attempt to imagine how to imagine what it would have been like to attend a performance of Gustav Mahlers Symphony No. 2 in 1895.
Firstly, sound is the main component of the experience of going back in time to witness the music as heard by the composer himself. One of the finest examples of performance of Mahlers Symphony No. 2 was recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado in February 1976 in Medinah Temple, Chicago. The symphonys final movement particularly follows a very unusual composition form with distinct developmental sections. Mahler initially composed the symphony as the story of resurrections, so the finale combines a variety of moods, switching the tempo several times. Dark and dramatically loud segments are opposed to moments of complete silence, and the use of offstage horns creates a unique feeling of distance in sound (The Classical Dude, 2019). Considering that the range of the composition is impressive even for modern listeners, one can imagine how the work impressed Mahlers contemporaries.
Furthermore, continuing the construction of the experience of going back in time needs to consider the elements of politics at that time. The 1890s marked the end of the Gilded Age era, characterized by the rapid growth of wealth from industrialization. Next, the womens rights movement shifted from gaining more rights in education and equal pay to political rights. The period took place between Napoleonic Wars at the beginning of the century and the First World War, which was relatively peaceful. The main form of transportation was horse-drawn carriages and streetcars. However, bicycles were growing in popularity as an alternative form of transportation because of their affordability and speed.
Combining the acquired knowledge creates an image of what a live performance of Mahlers Symphony No. 2 could look like in the past. Firstly, Mahler conducted the performance himself; Mahler also arranged concerts privately with his friends financial support, so the concert venue was small with few visitors. The political climate was favorable, with no significant conflicts or wars, so the guests chatted freely about relevant topics before and after the concert. The weather in Berlin was cold during the winter, but there was no snow outside the concert venue. After getting ready to attend the performance in the light of electric lamps and leaving their homes warmed by steam-powered central heating systems, guests arrived at the venue in horse-drawn carriages. Later, after the concert, impressed guests headed to their carriages, which transported them back to their homes, accompanied by the sound of hooves clopping against the asphalt paving on the streets.
In conclusion, this essay collected information about Gustav Mahler and Symphony No. 2 to construct an image of the compositions performance at the time of its creation. Learning about the society of that period allowed imagining how the guests could behave during the performance. Lastly, acquiring more information about the composer determined that he often conducted performances of his works, ensuring that the listeners received a more complete experience of the symphony than modern listeners.
Reference
The Classical Dude. (2019). Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C minor-Eb (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado) [Video}. YouTube.
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