Mahler (1974)

Kenneth Colley: Krenek

Quotes 

• Krenek : Which do you prefer, conducting or composing?

  Gustav Mahler : I conduct to live. I live to compose.

• Krenek : Dr Mahler, is it true that you cancelled your conducting commitments in New York; because, competition with Toscanini is too strong? Or, because the people didn't appreciate your own music? Or, was it simply ill health?

  Gustav Mahler : I was tired of skyscrapers and Sarsaparilla. I want to find a place near Vienna where the sun shines and the grapes grows and I can breathe again.

  Krenek : Congestion of the lungs. So, it was ill health.

  Gustav Mahler : Why is everyone so literal these days? I was speaking metaphorically.