Its first movement, an allegro energico, begins with a variation of the song "Der Tamboursg'sell," which transforms into a march punctuated with the timpani playing a left-left-left-right-left cadence.
In this symphony's Scherzo, the timpani and basses play contrasting rhythms during a similar melody of repeated A's. Its first movement, an allegro energico, begins with a variation of the song "Der Tamboursg'sell," which transforms into a march punctuated with the timpani playing a left-left-left-right-left cadence. Cowbells play during the finale of the first movement, which introduces an ascending theme named for the composer's wife. Its final movement is thirty minutes long, and ends with a fortissimo A flat chord after a repetition of the march theme is interrupted by three hammer blows, symbolizing three blows of fate. For 10 points, name this symphony by Gustav Mahler titled for its expression of despair.
In this symphony's Scherzo, the timpani and basses play contrasting rhythms during a similar melody of repeated A's.
Tragic Symphony [or Mahler's Symphony no. 6 in A minor]