Of Gustav Mahler's nine complete symphonies, the Fifth Symphony is perhaps one of the most confusing and fascinating of all. Like the First Symphony, but unlike symphonies 2-4, the Fifth Symphony is strictly instrumental. It also marks the beginning of what scholars call the middle compositional period of Mahler's life. This research will explore the background, basic structure, and common performance practices of Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony. Topics discussed will include biographical information associated with the work as well as possible influences and inspirations for the work. The instrumentation, basic structure and musical devices will be explained and various performance practices regarding the symphony will be addressed. Gustav Mahler began composing the Fifth Symphony in the summer of 1901. By this point in his life, Mahler had developed a high degree of confidence in his compositional ability. The symphony was written primarily during the summers of 1901 and 1902, with a major life event marked in this time period: Mahler's engagement to Alma Maria Schindler (Fischer 385-6). The Scherzo, which became the third movement of the symphony, was the first movement written by Mahler. It is here that Mahler began to explore a new compositional style that marked the beginning of his second compositional period. His first four symphonies were somewhat programmatic due to their connection to the Wunderhorn poems. Mahler himself described these four symphonies as a tetralogy, and thus they are often grouped together as representative of his early compositional period. Unlike symphonies 2-4, Mahler's Fifth Symphony emphasizes the instrumental part and contains no vocal writing. As for......middle of paper......crepancies, Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony remains a true masterpiece of the orchestral repertoire. Although not performed as often as some of Mahler's other symphonies, due to its difficulty, technical demands, and performance issues, performances of the Fifth Symphony still fascinate audiences today. The piece is unique in that it transports the audience from the depths of darkness to the great light, all within one unified symphony. Although it represents Mahler's first symphony not associated with the Wunderhorn poems, the music does not lack singing qualities, particularly in his most famous Adagietto. The Fifth Symphony was written during a turning point in Mahler's compositional career as well as his personal life, and remains to this day a timeless representation of Mahler's musical brilliance and ingenuity..