Gustav mahler

Discipline, work. Work, discipline.

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

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 out of 20 of them every day.

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

I also had a brother who was like me a musician and a composer. A man of great talent, far more gifted than I. He died very young... he killed himself in the prime of his life.

In the theatrical works we love and admire the most, the ending of the drama generally takes place offstage.

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

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

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