Composer of the Month 7/2010: Gustav Mahler   (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Austria 18.5.2010 The Austrian composer Gustav Mahler was born in Kalischt, Bohemia on July 7th, 1860. After conclusion of his studies in Vienna, he worked as conductor, music and choir director and later as opera director in Kassel, Prague, Leipzig, Budapest, Hamburg, Vienna and New York. Gustav Mahler composed chamber music, orchestra and piano songs and 10 symphonies. He wasn't only one of the most important composers of the late Romanticism but also one of the most famous conductors of his time and as an opera director an important reformer of the music theater. Gustav Mahler died in Vienna on May 18th, 1911. His birthday comes up again for the 150th time on July 7th 2010. The video is an excerpt from Gustav Mahler's symphony Nr. 1 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein (1975). More composers in the members only section