Today marks the 150^th birthday of Gustav Mahler, famed Jewish composer and conductor. Although he was considered one of the greatest conductors of his day, his compositions (now widely accepted as some of the most powerful music ever composed), were largely ignored, and even criticized, until long after his death.

Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

Mahler was born on July 7^th, 1860, to a family that lived a constant uphill struggle. The Mahler family, originally from Bohemia, belonged to two very unpopular minorities: They were German speaking, and they were Jewish. Gustav’s father worked his way into the middle class by purchasing an inn, which would later give his talented son the chance to pursue a career in music. Despite this advantage, Mahler’s Jewish heritage would always be looked down upon. He described himself as “thrice homeless, as a native of Bohemia in Austria, as an Austrian among Germans, as a Jew throughout the world—always an intruder, never welcomed” [Memories and Letters]

To achieve his greatest career move-Director of the Vienna Court Opera (Hofoper), Mahler was forced to convert from Judaism to Catholicism. Even after he’d made this sacrifice, his heritage was consistently used against him throughout the rest of his musical career. Rivals and critics of Mahler’s compositions were known to employ the use of anti-Semitic press to defame him. Criticism of his work regularly escalated to full-blown attacks against his person from local papers. Later, despite his intense study of the German nationalists (Nietzsche called him a genius, and Freud supposedly gave him the counseling that saved his failing marriage), Mahler was denounced by the Nazi party. His music was declared to be degenerate, and was not played in his homeland throughout the war. Of course, this temporary disappearance only made it easier for his music to then be rediscovered by a new generation. Long after his death in 1911, Mahler took his place as a great composer of Europe.

Today, some criticize Mahler for what they view as an abandonment of his faith. In truth, Mahler was far from being alone in this flaw (Mendelssohn was another of the many artists who converted). His music continued to be influenced by his heritage, with such bold displays as a klezmer movement in his first symphony. After his conversion, his personal turmoil over the act influenced his music and choices. Many consider his move to New York, where he became the first conductor to direct the Philharmonic as a full orchestra, to have been a final protest of his treatment in Vienna. He wrote, “America is really different from Europe. Only there do you feel like a human being, with no master above you.”

You can find out more about Gustav Mahler at his Wikipedia page or by visiting The International Gustav Mahler Society website. Most importantly, listen to his music! My sister, a self-proclaimed Mahler fanatic, recommends “Ich ben der welt abhanden gekommen” and “Urlicht”. She warns that the latter will make you melt into a puddle of “Mahlered” goo.

Happy birthday, Gustav!

Update: Today is also the 150th birthday of Abraham Cahan, the founding editor of the Jewish Daily Forward!