Mahler Symphony 1, Mvt 4 (Highlights)
Mahler’s First Symphony is a testament to his commitment and response to adversity. When its debut was poorly received, Mahler persevered and revised it over a period of ten years. He went on to conduct it more than any of his later works.
This arrangement for trumpet ensemble is a close transcription of the fourth and final movement, notwithstanding two constraints: time (trimming 20 minutes to 7:30) and instrumentation (8 trumpets). It is true to the original score; virtually no new material was written. Cuts were made judiciously to ensure that Mahler’s thematic material is intact.
Original German instructions have been translated into English, e.g., “mit großer wildheit” = “with great wildness.” Likewise, Mahler’s markings for dynamics, articulations, and tempi are utilized to the extent that they are correct for trumpets.
If a rousing Mahler finale is to be done for a homogenous chamber ensemble, I’m hard-pressed to think of participants better suited than trumpets (do you hear the horns coughing for attention?). Opportunities to perform Mahler are precious few in life. It is my sincere hope that this piece brings the power of his music to performers and their audiences.