Among the most popular of Mahler's symphonic works, the 7th Symphony has
neither a "program" nor a folk-song theme. It is a purely instrumental
composition, both hopeful and romantic in feeling. The restrained mood
and thematic economy of the symphony make it one of the least
extravagant of the composer's works; it is also one of the most
enjoyable.
Despite the lack of a "program" for the 7th, some critics profess to
find that "a good case can be made out for the symphony as a whole
having been consciously built round the poetic idea of nocturnal nature,
progressing through various shades of darkness" (New Grove's Dictionary
of Music and Musicians). Now musicians and music lovers can make their
own determination by studying this inexpensive edition of the complete
score, reprinted from the authoritative German edition of 1909.