If I weren't the way I am, I shouldn't write my symphonies. Gustav Mahler More Quotes by Gustav Mahler More Quotes From Gustav Mahler There is a world of difference between a Mahler eighth note and a normal eighth note. Gustav Mahler mahlerdifferencesworld Melodic invention is one of the surest signs of a divine gift. Gustav Mahler inventiondivine I don't choose what I compose. It chooses me. Gustav Mahler choose-me You must renounce all superficiality, all convention, all vanity and delusion. Gustav Mahler renounceconventionsvanity I live like a Hottentot. I cannot exchange one sensible word with anyone. Gustav Mahler sensible Only when I experience do I compose - only when I compose do I experience. Gustav Mahler experience The longer you live and the more you learn, the more clearly you will feel the difference between the few men who are truly great and the mere virtuosi. Gustav Mahler differencesfeelsmen It should be one’s sole endeavor to see everything afresh and create it anew. Gustav Mahler endeavorsoleshould I don't let myself get carried away by my own ideas; I abandon 19 out of 20 of them every day. Gustav Mahler abandonmy-ownideas I was a crazy young man who let himself be blinded by his passions and obeyed only the impulses of the moment. Gustav Mahler passioncrazymen Life's been nothing but paperwork. Gustav Mahler paperwork Never let oneself be guided by the opinion of one's contemporaries. Continue steadfastly on one's way. Gustav Mahler oneselfopinionway The call of love sounds very hollow among these immobile rocks. Gustav Mahler rockssoundlove A full cup of wine at the right time is worth more than all the kingdoms of this earth! Gustav Mahler winekingdomsearth It is always the same with me; only when I experience something do I compose, and only when composing do I experience! After all, a musician's nature can hardly be expressed in words. Gustav Mahler composingmusician It is strange how one feels drawn forward without knowing at first where one is going. Gustav Mahler strangeknowingfirsts All that is not perfect down to the smallest detail is doomed to perish. Gustav Mahler detailsfateperfect Beauty and fullness of tone can be achieved by having the whole orchestra play with high clarinets and a carefully selected number of piccolos. Gustav Mahler orchestraplaynumbers It's not just a question of conquering a summit previously unknown, but of tracing, step by step, a new pathway to it. Gustav Mahler pathwaysconquersteps Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again. Gustav Mahler natureairspring
