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

Quote by Gustav Mahler

Topics: Gustav Mahler Quotes

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

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

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.

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.

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.

The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to...

The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to...

The further the music develops, the more complex the apparatus used by the composer to...

The further the music develops, the more complex the apparatus used by the composer to...

It should be one's sole endeavor to see everything afresh and create it anew.

It should be one's sole endeavor to see everything afresh and create it anew.

Never let oneself be guided by the opinion of one's contemporaries. Continue steadfastly on one's...

Never let oneself be guided by the opinion of one's contemporaries. Continue steadfastly on one's...

Discipline, work. Work, discipline.

Discipline, work. Work, discipline.

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...

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...

With the coming of spring, I am calm again.

With the coming of spring, I am calm again.

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...

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

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

Behind me the branches of a wasted and sterile existence are cracking.

Behind me the branches of a wasted and sterile existence are cracking.

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.

It is strange how one feels drawn forward without knowing at first where one is...

It is strange how one feels drawn forward without knowing at first where one is...

Melodic invention is one of the surest signs of a divine gift.

Melodic invention is one of the surest signs of a divine gift.

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.