A Sculpture of the Battle of the Titans

Mahler’s First Symphony is nicknamed Titan. But it might just as well have been called Anti-Titan.

Watching the main gate to the grounds of Prague Castle are not only by castle guards, but also two sculptures of giants from Greek mythology.

It was after the same deities of antiquity that the German author Jean Paul named his four-volume novel Titan, in which he is critical of taking too definite a view of the world, with each of the characters (apart from the protagonist Albano) representing a view on life that is limited in a particular respect. Therefore, according to the author, the book could also have been titled Anti-Titan, because in it, every proud “conqueror of the heavens finds his own hell”.

Gustav Mahler admired this work of literature and named his First Symphony after it. Although he withdrew the title after just two performances, the nickname accompanies the symphony to this day.

The Prague public finally saw the local premiere on 3 March 1898 at the New German Theatre.

“The fourth philharmonic concert turned into an event for the Prague music world thanks to the participation of the music director of the Vienna Court Opera, Mr Gustav Mahler, as the conductor. […] His Symphony No. 1 is a work shaped by a strong creative spirit. Those who were expecting to partake in something radically innovative—the resolution of Symbolist problems or even world-shattering aspirations—may, deep down, have felt rather disappointed. Gustav Mahler did not display any of this, nor did he even unconditionally submit to the spirit of Wagner. Mahler seems to be going his own independent way, not seeking his ultimate aims in the realms of philosophy or tone painting; his music follows the dictates of his own inner voice. He consistently employs a particular fondness for instrumental and rhythmic contrasts without lapsing into trivialities or empty playfulness.”

Do you agree? And do you hear traces of an (Anti-)Titan in the music?