Don't bother looking at the view - I have already composed it.

Quote by Gustav Mahler

Topics: Gustav Mahler Quotes

I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.

I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.

If I weren't the way I am, I shouldn't write my symphonies.

If I weren't the way I am, I shouldn't write my symphonies.

It's not just a question of conquering a summit previously unknown, but of tracing, step...

It's not just a question of conquering a summit previously unknown, but of tracing, step...

Destiny smiles upon me but without making me the least bit happier.

Destiny smiles upon me but without making me the least bit happier.

Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and...

Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and...

There is a world of difference between a Mahler eighth note and a normal eighth...

There is a world of difference between a Mahler eighth note and a normal eighth...

I live like a Hottentot. I cannot exchange one sensible word with anyone.

I live like a Hottentot. I cannot exchange one sensible word with anyone.

I don't let myself get carried away by my own ideas - I abandon 19...

I don't let myself get carried away by my own ideas - I abandon 19...

Even if people censure me, they should do so hat in hand.

Even if people censure me, they should do so hat in hand.

What I wanted and what I visualized while composing has not always been realized.

What I wanted and what I visualized while composing has not always been realized.

You must renounce all superficiality, all convention, all vanity and delusion.

You must renounce all superficiality, all convention, all vanity and delusion.

An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.

An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.

The real art of conducting consists in transitions.

The real art of conducting consists in transitions.

Fortunately, something always remains to be harvested. So let us not be idle.

Fortunately, something always remains to be harvested. So let us not be idle.

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not...

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not...

I beg of you... never assume an inner or an outer pose, never a disguise.

I beg of you... never assume an inner or an outer pose, never a disguise.

A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything.

A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything.

To judge a composer's work, one must consider it as a whole.

To judge a composer's work, one must consider it as a whole.

All that is not perfect down to the smallest detail is doomed to perish.

All that is not perfect down to the smallest detail is doomed to perish.

In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a...

In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a...