Throughout, the ascending and descending tones, close
interwoven, give a blended hue of arduous striving and regret.
After a pause follow a series of refrains of solo voices in the melody,
with muted strings, with mingled strains of the motto. In the bass is an
undulation that recalls the second theme of former movement. And the
clarinet returns with its mystic madrigal of melody; now the Adagio
theme enters and gives it point and meaning. In one more burst it sings
in big and little in the same alluring harmony, whence it dies down to
soothing close in brilliant gamut as of sinking sun.
_IV.--Allegro vivace._ Throwing aside the clinging
[Music: _Allegro vivace_
_Molto marcato_
(Strings, wood and horns with reinforced harmonies)]
fragments of fugue in the prelude we rush into a gaiety long sustained.
Almost strident is the ruthless merriment; we are inclined to fear that
the literal coherence of theme is greater than the inner connection of
mood. At last the romp hushes to a whisper of drum, with strange patter
of former dance. And following and accompanying it is a new hymnal (or
is it martial) line, as it were the reverse of the other
[Music: (Reeds and horns)
(Strings with the quicker dance phrase of 2d movement)]
chant. The gay figures flit timidly back,--a struggle 'twixt pleasure
and fate,--but soon regain control.
If we cared to interpret, we might find in the Finale a realized
aspiration. The truth is the humors of the themal phrases, as of the
movements, jar: they are on varying planes.
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