Gustav MAHLER

7 July 1860 - 18 May 1911 (age 50)

Portrait by Paul Helm

Gustav Mahler, the Bohemian-Austrian composer, was better known as one of the world's leading conductors during his lifetime. His music began to be appreciated long after his death.

Family

Works

Quotes

Jubilee

His wife Alma

Links

Family

Born: 7 July 1860 Kaliště, Bohemia (then in Austria, now in the Czech Republic)
Father: Bernard. Businessman, innkeeper.
Mother: Marie
Siblings: 2nd of fourteen children, 7 died in infancy and one at age 12.
Partners: In 1901 he married Alma Schindler
Children: two daughters, Anna and Maria (died age 4)
Died: 18 May 1911
Cause of death: heart disease ( infective myocarditis)
Grave: Grinzinger Friedhof, Vienna (more info at findagrave )

Mahler wins 3 more Grammy awards

Find more videos like this on San Francisco Symphony Social Network

Works

- 9 symphonies (+ 1 unfinished)
- many orchestral song cycles

Composing was an activity which took second place to his successful conducting career. Most of his compositions were done during the summer breaks in quiet places next to nature. One of his favourite places for composing was a little cabin on the shore of Lake Atter in Upper Austria.

Quotes

- “If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.”

- "I am thrice homeless, as a native of Bohemia in Austria, as an Austrian among Germans, and as a Jew throughout the world. Everywhere an intruder, never welcomed."

- ""I don't choose what I compose. It chooses me."

- "What is best in music is not to be found in the notes."

- "My time will come when his is over." ( from a letter to his wife Alma, relating to Richard Strauss.)

- "I also had a brother who was like me a musician and a composer. A man of great talent, far more gifted than I. He died very young... he killed himself in the prime of his life."

Mahler Jubilee 2010-2011

His 150th birthday will be on 7 July 2010 and the 100th anniversary of his death will be in 2011. Naturally there will be all manner of celebrations - let us know if you know of any.

The Gustav Mahler Jubilee Project

Gustav Mahler and Vienna an exhibition in the Theater Museum, Vienna

Events a listing of events worldwide. Additions welcome. Mahler Festivals

The Colorado Mahlerfest

Accuradio

Listen to the Mahler channel while you work/surf/study/read/dream.....

This was used in the film "Death in Venice"

Links and where to go for more information

- Answers.com consolidated results of various sites including Wikipedia
- About.com Mahler page
- Brainjuice a good article
- International Gustav Mahler Society of Vienna
- Mahler Blog listing of performances, festivals, interviews, new editions, recordings, reviews and web content.
- Findagrave photos of his grave plus a good article. Add your tribute.