Adagietto from 'Symphony No. 5' [Mahler] (Band Gr. 4)

The Adagietto is arguably Mahler’s best-known composition, particularly for American audiences. Although it is often associated with death (Leonard Bernstein conducted it at a memorial for President Kennedy), according to conductor Willem Mengelberg, Mahler actually composed it as a musical love letter to his wife Alma during their brief courtship. The intimacy of the "Adagietto," scored for strings and harp, foreshadows the essence of Mahler and Alma’s tempestuous marriage, which was full of tenderness, passion, and irreconcilable conflict.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series:
Level: 4 | Duration: 11:10

Instrumentation
Transposed Score (8.5"x11" stapled booklet)

Flute 1-2
Flute 3-4
English Horn
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Cello (optional)
Euphonium
B-flat Euphonium T.C.
Tuba
String Bass
Harp

Program Notes
The Adagietto is arguably Mahler’s best-known composition, particularly for American audiences. Although it is often associated with death (Leonard Bernstein conducted it at a memorial for President Kennedy), according to conductor Willem Mengelberg, Mahler actually composed it as a musical love letter to Alma during their brief courtship. Mengelberg wrote, “This "Adagietto" was Mahler’s declaration of love to Alma! Instead of a letter he sent her this in manuscript: no accompanying words. She understood and wrote to him: he should come!!! Both told me this!” The intimacy of the "Adagietto," scored for strings and harp, foreshadows the essence of Mahler and Alma’s tempestuous marriage, which was full of tenderness, passion, and irreconcilable conflict.