Gustav Mahler (jan 1, 1860 – jan 1, 1911)
Description:
Mahler was the leading Austro-German composer of symphonies after Brahms and Bruckner and one of the great masters of the song for voice and orchestra. He attended the Vienna conservatory in his teens to study piano and composition. By age 20, his primary career was as a professional opera and orchestral conductor, composing mainly during the summers in between conducting seasons. He became an avid Wagnerian, though also respected and was influenced by Brahms.He completed 9 symphonies with an unfinished tenth, along with 5 multi-movement works for voice with orchestra. He became a prime influence on modern Viennese composers, and had his greatest success in the last decade of his life.
Mahler's Style
He extends Beethoven’s concept of the symphony as a bold personal statement, viewing it as “constructing a world”. In his music, each of the elements is familiar, but the combination is new and unique.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1860
jan 1, 1911
~ 51 years