Mahler Symphony No. 10 - 1st Movement - Listening Guide

The very opening of the symphony (which is in the key of F-sharp major) maintains a connection with the final movement of the Ninth. A long, bleak Andante melody for violas alone leads to the exposition of the slow first theme in the strings. This theme is developed and another, lighter theme is exposed. The music dies away and the violas repeat the opening theme.With slight variation, the opening adagio is repeated and developed in a growing intensity. This also soon dies away, leaving sever...