Mahler (1974)

Gary Rich: Young Mahler

Quotes 

• Professor Sladky : And what do you call that, may I ask?

  Young Mahler : It's called the Kitten Serenade.

  Professor Sladky : More like the Tune the Cat's Died Of. Eine Kleine Katmusik. Where did that come from?

  Young Mahler : Out of my own head.

  Professor Sladky : And that's where it should have stayed. Even a monkey is more clever. He can pick out a tune on one finger, pick out his nose with another and eat a banana all at the same time. But to play the piano calls for genius. And genius calls for scales. Scales! Scales. Even more scales. Scale of C-major. Begin! Elbows in. Wrists out. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists. Elbows. Wrists.

• Nick : Good title, "What Nature Tells Me". It's unusual, even if it is a little ambitious.

  Young Mahler : Did you like it?

  Nick : Ah, you got a glimmering of the divine spark, I suppose. We all have somewhere deep down inside of us, glowing away in the dark. But we all need something - something special to ignite it - make it burst into flame. Now, is this something in you? Lack? Now what is it you lack? Year? They're nothing. Rossini was writing symphonies to seven. Technique? Nah! You can pick that up from a textbook as easy as ABC. No. No, no, no. A real feeling for nature, that's what you lack.

  [laughs] 

  Nick : What nature tells me!

• Young Mahler : Could the money go towards lessons in composition instead?

  Bernhard Mahler : Who ever heard of a composer making money? Mozart they buried in a pauper's grave.