Mahler Hammer & Block for Hire

The Mahler Hammer and Block is a unique invention created for Mahler's Symphony no. 6. According to Mahler: "The sound of the hammer, which features in the last movement, is to be brief and mighty, but dull in resonance and with a non-metallic character (like the fall of an axe)". The Mahler hammer and box is also used in other compositions such as Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra.