MEETING - Wednesday 17 February 2010
Eric Shanes : THE LANDSCAPES OF GUSTAV MAHLERGustav Mahler (1860 - 1911) was born into a German-speaking Jewish family in Bohemia, then in the Austrian Empire, today in the Czech Republic. He was the second of fourteen children, seven of whom died in infancy and one of whom died at the age of 12. His parents soon moved to Jihlava (in German Iglau), where Mahler spent his childhood. Having noticed the boy's talent at an early age, his parents arranged piano lessons for him when he was six years old. In 1875, Mahler, then 15, was admitted to the Vienna Conservatoire, where he studied piano under Julius Epstein.
Mahler began his career as a conductor with a job at a summer theatre at Bad Hall in 1880. He went on to take conducting posts at successively larger opera houses, culminating in 1897 when at the age of 37, Mahler was offered the directorship of the Vienna State Opera, the most prestigious musical position in the Austrian Empire.
Mahler dedicated the summer months to composing, always using a komponierhäuschen - composing hut - where he drew inspiration from the magnificence of the lakes and mountains.
There are three Mahler composing huts — in Steinbach, Maiernigg (to the south, on the Wörthersee), and Toblach (now Dobbiaco, in Italy). This photo shows his composing hut at Toblach/Dobbiaco where he composed for three summers from 1908 - Das Lied von der Erde, his 9th Symphony, and the unfinished 10th.
Our lecturer for the February meeting, Eric Shanes, is Chairman of the Turner Society. He is author of ten best selling books on Turner, also books on Hockney, Dali, Warhol, Brancusi, the Impressionists in London and Pop Art.
Eric Shanes has lectured at the National, Tate, and Clore Galleries. He has also undertaken many American Tours.
Read more on his personal website