Mahler's third and fourth symphonies mark a turning point in his development as a composer. Symphony No. 3 (1896) predominantly follows the musical style of the earlier two symphonies, which tended to emphasize a single melodic line with subordinate harmonies. Symphony No. 4 (1900) embodies the more contrapuntal style that characterizes his later symphonic works. At the same time, these works bring Mahler to the end of his "Wunderhorn years," when his inspiration derived strongly from Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Youth's Magic Horn), an early 19th-century collection of folklike poetry that celebrated themes of nature.

Now music lovers can study the orchestral richness of these two great Mahler scores, reprinted here from original Viennese editions. In the unusually diverse musical textures of these two contrasting symphonic masterworks, music professionals, and students alike can explore the genius of the composer often regarded as the last great Austrian symphonist.