A true personality . . . is like a robust organism that, with unconscious sureness, seeks out and digests the nourishment appropriate to it and vigorously rejects that which is unsuitable. – Gustav Mahler
The point is not to take the worlds opinion as a guiding star but to go ones way in life and working unerringly, neither depressed by failure nor seduced by applause. – Gustav Mahler
The real art of conducting consists in transitions. – Gustav Mahler
I hope you will no longer accuse me of a lack of delicacy. as I now count on your understanding. – Gustav Mahler
The impressions of the spriritual experiences gave my future life its form and content. – Gustav Mahler
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
If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music. – Gustav Mahler