“If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.”
Gustav Mahler“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“The real art of conducting consists in transitions.”
Gustav Mahler“In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a small space by a small audience.”
Gustav Mahler“If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.”
Gustav Mahler“Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.”
Gustav Mahler“With the coming of spring, I am calm again.”
Gustav Mahler“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“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”
Gustav Mahler“I have enjoyed most particularly reading the correspondence between Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. The genuine friendship, competitiveness and support that thread through their communications are life lessons for us all.”
Jessye Norman