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

Quote by Gustav Mahler

Topics: Gustav Mahler Quotes

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

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

An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.

An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 longer you live and the more you learn, the more clearly you will feel...

The longer you live and the more you learn, the more clearly you will feel...

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...

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.

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...