Kuaizi
Senior Member
Gustav Mahler (July 7, 1860 – May 18, 1911)
He was a late-Romantic Austrian composer, one of my favorites. Not only is his music tough to play, it is also a challenge to interpret and get it to sound right.
Having an affinity for music at an early age, Mahler discovered his grandparent's piano at age 4, and went on to hold his first performance at age 10. In 1875, at the age of 15, he was accepted into the Vienna Conservatory, and during his final year he started composing. In these years as a student, he was influenced by Anton Bruckner and Richard Wagner. At age 20, he composed his first substantial piece, Das klagende Lied, and it wasn't until 8 years later when he completed his first symphony.
Mahler seemed to have a busy and stressful life, having to battle health problems and multiple jobs. He conducted and held positions throughout the years in various places, from Prague to Leipzig, to Vienna and eventually the New York Met and Philharmonic. He had several creative periods in his life, where he composed the majority of his works.
According to Mahler, ""The symphony must be like the world. It must embrace everything." With so much complexity in Mahler's music, this statement stands true.
He was a late-Romantic Austrian composer, one of my favorites. Not only is his music tough to play, it is also a challenge to interpret and get it to sound right.
Having an affinity for music at an early age, Mahler discovered his grandparent's piano at age 4, and went on to hold his first performance at age 10. In 1875, at the age of 15, he was accepted into the Vienna Conservatory, and during his final year he started composing. In these years as a student, he was influenced by Anton Bruckner and Richard Wagner. At age 20, he composed his first substantial piece, Das klagende Lied, and it wasn't until 8 years later when he completed his first symphony.
Mahler seemed to have a busy and stressful life, having to battle health problems and multiple jobs. He conducted and held positions throughout the years in various places, from Prague to Leipzig, to Vienna and eventually the New York Met and Philharmonic. He had several creative periods in his life, where he composed the majority of his works.
According to Mahler, ""The symphony must be like the world. It must embrace everything." With so much complexity in Mahler's music, this statement stands true.