XXI. MAHLER, Gustav: Symphony #1 in D Major

XXI. MAHLER, Gustav (1860-1911)

Symphony #1 in D Major (1887-88)
1. Langsam, schleppend (Slowly, dragging), Immer sehr gemächlich (very restrained throughout)
2. Kräftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell (Moving strongly, but not too quickly), Recht gemächlich (restrained), a Trio
3. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen (Solemnly and measured, without dragging), Sehr einfach und schlicht wie eine Volksweise (very simple, like a folk-tune), and Wieder etwas bewegter, wie im Anfang (once again somewhat more agitated, as at the start) -- a funeral march based on the children's song "Frère Jacques" (or "Bruder Jacob")
4. Stürmisch bewegt --- Energisch (Stormily agitated -- Energetic)
Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, cond.
(59:57)

Compare the opening phrase:

with the opening of Beethoven's Fourth (see Post CLXXXIV):

[from Wikipedia]: In the third movement of the symphony, the quotation of the lied "Die zwei blauen Augen" demonstrates the subtlety with which Mahler combined the two genres. Within this funeral march, we can see the composer's union of form and meaning, and also elements of a programme. In the last verse of the song cycle, the speaker acknowledges the painlessness of death, saying, "[under the linden tree] I knew not how life fared, [there] all was good again!" This melody is employed as a countermelody to the "Frère Jacques" theme's Catholic implications and the Jewish klezmer qualities of the "Die zwei blauen Augen" theme, thus alluding to a social conflict of which Mahler was very aware.

Wikipedia.