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

Quote by Gustav Mahler

Topics: Music Quotes

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

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

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...

The impressions of the spriritual experiences gave my future life its form and content.

The impressions of the spriritual experiences gave my future life its form and content.

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.

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...

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...

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

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

I have become a different person. I don't know whether this person is better, he...

I have become a different person. I don't know whether this person is better, he...

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.

When I have reached a summit, I leave it with great reluctance, unless it is...

When I have reached a summit, I leave it with great reluctance, unless it is...

With the coming of spring, I am calm again.

With the coming of spring, I am calm again.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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...

An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.

An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.