Premiere: December 13, 1895, Berlin
The finale of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, also known as the Resurrection Symphony, is a monumental work that explores themes of death and rebirth. The music begins darkly and dramatically, gradually building to a hopeful, spiritual climax. The choir and soloists join to sing the “Resurrection Ode,” celebrating the idea of redemption and new beginnings. With powerful choral passages and an overwhelming orchestration, the symphony concludes in a triumphant soundscape.