Investigates the `hidden program' behind Gustave Mahler's rescoring Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Factors in his compositional style; Preoccupation with mortality; Rehearsal techniques; Gustav Klint; Chain of connections between Mahler and Beethoven; Background modeling; Heroic concept and specific features; `Klopfton'; Melodic and rhythmic identity; Transformed character; Compositional model as `inner program'; Ideological choices.