# Mahler, Symphony No. 2 in C minor ("Resurrection")

A free cello/bass recitative, every player must phrase as a soloist within the section.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Gustav Mahler

- **Work:** Symphony No. 2 in C minor ("Resurrection")

- **Movement:** V. Im Tempo des Scherzo (low strings recitative)

- **Era:** Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)

- **Composed:** 1894

- **Key:** F

- **Metre:** 4/4

- **Tempo:** Recitativ, frei approximately 50 BPM

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Advanced

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

The unison gesture must be perfectly together, section leader sets it.

## Style

Free, like an opera recitative. Speech rhythms, not metric.

## Techniques

symphony, audition, recitative, unison

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Mahler: Symphony No. 1, I, cello melody](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mahler-1-i), The "Wayfarer" theme stated in the cellos, naïve, folk-like, pure. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations, theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-rococo), Tchaikovsky's tribute to the classical era. Pure, transparent, devilishly hard to play with simplicity. Advanced; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Bruch: Kol Nidrei](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/bruch-kol-nidrei), Bruch's setting of the Yom Kippur prayer for cello and orchestra. Deeply expressive cantorial line. Advanced; Late-Romantic; Bass clef.
- [Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, I, second theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-6-i), The famous lyrical second theme, soaring, heart-on-sleeve. Cello section in unison. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet, love theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-romeo-love), The most famous love theme in classical music. Cellos take the soaring line. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Strauss: Don Juan, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-don-juan), The most-asked orchestra audition excerpt for cello, a heroic, virtuoso opening that demands speed, precision, and bravura. Audition; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mahler-2-v