Mahler Symphony No. 7 - 1st Movement - Listening Guide
The movement is in sonata form. It begins with a slow introduction in B minor, launched by a dark melody played by a baritone horn. The accompanimental rhythm was said to have come to Mahler whilst rowing on the lake at Maiernigg after a period of compositional drought. The principal theme, presented by horns in unison in E minor, is accompanied similarly, though much faster and in a higher register. The second theme is then presented by violins, accompanied by sweeping cello arpeggios. This ...