Mahler Sixth "Hammer"

Boom!

See it: Doug Wyatt plays the "hammer."   The box (8'×5'×5') built by Greg Ruetsch.

Hear it: Short MP3 file (15 seconds, 123 kB)

This hammer was used in the Finale movement of
Gustav Mahler's sixth ("Tragic") symphony
performed November 18, 2001.

The A-major to A-minor motif
from the previous movements
has returned, with marching tunes
attempting a confident major
but each time struck down,
this time literally with hammer blows
that Mahler wanted to sound
"like the stroke of an ax."

-- Barbara Heninger