At its premiere in Cologne in 1904, this symphony by Mahler was a complete failure with an audience unprepared for its extraordinary power and drama. Yet a century later, Mahler's "Fifth" has become one of the most popular symphonies, and one critic has gone so far as to call it "one of the seven wonders of the symphonic world." Although the 3 first movements of the symphony had "death" as a theme, as a result of Mahler's serious illness a few months before the onset of this composition, the fourth movement shows a more optimistic look on life. To this effect contributed his falling in love and marriage with Alma Schindler which took place in the meantime. So this movement is Mahler's "declaration of his love for Alma". Instead of a letter, he sent her this music manuscript, without adding a word, with which he was basically asking her to marry him. Movement 4 is slow and calm, emerging from silence to gradually lead you to a "soulful" climax, and "with the most heartfelt sentiment", as the composer had made clear in his scores of how the performance should be. Initially you listen to the music approaching, outside space and time, and then you get a feeling of longing which later on turns into a bittersweet feeling. Despite being a love song, this music has been borrowed in "Death in Venice", a unique film that comments on the passing of time, loss, regret, and the emptiness of our existence. Quite pessimistic, but on the other hand the music, despite its sadness, is very beautiful and tender.