10 Quotes & Sayings By Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler was born on 28th October 1860 in the small town of Kalis (now Kałajewo), now in northern Poland, where he spent most of his childhood. He studied piano and composition at the Vienna Conservatory with Josef Hoffmann and later with Felix Draeseke. Mahler's first opera, Die Brautwahl, was produced at the Vienna Court Opera in 1876. The following year Mahler became assistant to Hofkapellmeister Josef Hellmesberger Read more

His first symphonic work, Das Lied von der Erde (Symphony No. 2) was composed in 1877 and received its premiere at the Viennese Musikvereinssaal on 3rd November 1878.

1
Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire. Gustav Mahler
2
The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to go one's way in life and working unerringly, neither depressed by failure nor seduced by applause. Gustav Mahler
3
With the coming of spring, I am calm again. Gustav Mahler
4
Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again. Gustav Mahler
5
If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music. Gustav Mahler
6
In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a small space by a small audience. Gustav Mahler
7
The real art of conducting consists in transitions. Gustav Mahler
8
Beauty and fullness of tone can be achieved by having the whole orchestra play with high clarinets and a carefully selected number of piccolos. Gustav Mahler
9
The impressions of the spriritual experiences gave my future life its form and content. Gustav Mahler