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)
Every note must carry the weight of the universe.
Life's meaning is found in creation.
The artist must suffer to create.
Harmony is born from discord.
Conducting is the art of invisible leadership.
My symphonies are my confessions.
In music, as in life, passion is the spark.
The soul speaks through melody.
Exile sharpens the artist's vision.
Great music transcends time.
I live to compose the uncomposable.
The orchestra's voice is humanity's chorus.
Inspiration strikes like lightning.
Sorrow is the soil of profound art.
My heart beats in triple time.
The critic sees the tree, the artist the forest.
Faith in music is my religion.
To conduct is to sculpt time.
The universe unfolds in a single chord.
Laughter hides the tears of the soul.
Contemporaries of Gustav Mahler
Other Musics born within 50 years of Gustav Mahler (1860–1911).