Sinfonia Nº 2 - Quinto Movimento

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, particularly its fifth movement, is a profound exploration of life, death, and resurrection. The lyrics, sung in German, convey a powerful message of hope and transcendence. The opening lines, 'Auferstehn, ja auferstehn wirst du / Mein Staub, nach kurzer Ruhn'!' (You will rise again, yes, rise again / My dust, after a brief rest!), set the tone for a journey from mortality to immortality. Mahler uses the metaphor of dust to represent the human body, which, after death, will rise again to eternal life. This reflects a deep belief in the afterlife and the promise of resurrection, a theme that resonates with many religious and spiritual traditions.

The lyrics continue to emphasize the cyclical nature of life and death, with lines like 'Wieder aufzublühn wirst du gesät!' (You are sown to bloom again!). This agricultural metaphor suggests that death is not an end but a transformation, much like seeds that must be buried to sprout anew. The imagery of the 'Herr der Ernte' (Lord of the Harvest) gathering the sheaves of those who have died further reinforces this idea of a divine plan and the eventual reunion of souls.

Mahler's personal struggles and existential questions are also evident in the text. The lines 'O glaube: Du wardst nicht umsonst geboren! / Hast nicht umsonst gelebt, gelitten!' (O believe: You were not born in vain! / You have not lived, suffered in vain!) reflect a deep yearning for meaning and purpose in life. The final verses, 'Mit Flügeln, die ich mir errungen / In heißem Liebesstreben / Werd' ich entschweben / Zum Licht, zu dem kein Aug' gedrungen!' (With wings that I have won / In fervent love's striving / I shall soar / To the light that no eye has penetrated!), depict a triumphant ascent to a divine light, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment and ultimate peace. This movement of Mahler's symphony is not just a musical piece but a profound meditation on the human condition, offering solace and hope to those grappling with the mysteries of existence.