Lee, Jennifer (2009) Time as a circular spectrum and the retrospective device in Gustav Mahler’s Symphony no. 3 (1895-1896). Maynooth Musicology: Postgraduate Journal, 2. pp. 88-101.

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Abstract

The function of this chapter is to examine Mahler’s philosophical concept of time and the embodiment of this within the programmatic and structural model of his six-movement Symphony no. 3. This chapter shall argue that the composer’s newfound concept of time was borne out of Friedrich Nietzsche’s fundamental doctrine in his book Also Sprach Zarathustra1 (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) of 1885, from which Mahler drew directly in the fourth movement of his third symphony. It must be stated at this initial stage, however, that the contextual significance of Nietzsche’s work extends far beyond the borders of the fourth movement, instead radiating from this crucial midpoint in both directions and acting as the central anchor from which all contributory philosophical expressions in the symphony evolve. The subject of Mahler’s concept and treatment of time with regard to Nietzschean principals is but one of the ingredients exhibiting a contextual and often disguised correlation between the literary and musical works mentioned above.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Time; circular spectrum; retrospective device; Gustav Mahler; Symphony no. 3; 1895-1896; Maynooth Musicology;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > Music
Item ID:	9473
Depositing User:	IR Editor
Date Deposited:	14 May 2018 14:14
Journal or Publication Title:	Maynooth Musicology: Postgraduate Journal
Publisher:	Maynooth Musicology
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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