I don't let myself get carried away by my own ideas - I abandon 19 out of 20 of them every day.

Quote by Gustav Mahler

Topics: Gustav Mahler Quotes

It is easier to achieve a desired result in short pieces.

It is easier to achieve a desired result in short pieces.

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

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

I hope you will no longer accuse me of a lack of delicacy. as I...

I hope you will no longer accuse me of a lack of delicacy. as I...

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.

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

The spirit can assert itself only through the medium of clear form.

The spirit can assert itself only through the medium of clear form.

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...

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...

If you think you're boring your audience, go slower not faster.

If you think you're boring your audience, go slower not faster.

Discipline, work. Work, discipline.

Discipline, work. Work, discipline.

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.

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.

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...

In the theatrical works we love and admire the most, the ending of the drama...

In the theatrical works we love and admire the most, the ending of the drama...

I also had a brother who was like me a musician and a composer. A...

I also had a brother who was like me a musician and a composer. A...

The call of love sounds very hollow among these immobile rocks.

The call of love sounds very hollow among these immobile rocks.