Gustav Mahler
Visionary symphonist who bridged Romanticism and Modernism
Most quoted
"The important thing is never to let oneself be guided by the opinion of one's contemporaries; to continue steadfastly on one's way without letting oneself be either defeated by failure or diverted by applause."
— from Letter, 1902
"The further I get in my development, the more I see that the ultimate goal of the artist is to achieve *through his art* the picture of the world which is purely his own."
— from Letter to Max Marschalk, 1896
"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."
— from Letter to Max Kalbeck, 1902
All quotes by Gustav Mahler (346)
The universe is a symphony, and we are its instruments.
Every ending is a new beginning.
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
The world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
To be human is to be flawed.
The greatest adventure is to live your dreams.
The soul never dies.
We are all connected.
The journey is the reward.
Love is the answer.
Hope is the last thing to die.
The past is a ghost, the future a dream, and all we ever have is now.
The greatest tragedy is to live without passion.
Seek truth, not comfort.
The universe is a mystery to be explored, not a problem to be solved.
Every moment is a gift.
The only constant is change.
To understand is to forgive.
The artist is the one who has the most to say.
The conductor must not be a time-beater, but a creator.
Contemporaries of Gustav Mahler
Other Musics born within 50 years of Gustav Mahler (1860–1911).