Diaries 1898-1902

by Alma Mahler-Werfel, Alma Mahler-Werfel, Susanne Rode-Breymann (Editor)

From the author's first love affair with painter Gustav Klimt to her engagement to composer Gustav Mahler, selections from her diaries--accompanied by editors' commentaries and annotations--bring to life the culture of Vienna at the turn of the century. UP.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Memoir, German Literature, Diary, History

494 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Alma Maria Mahler Gropius Werfel (born Alma Maria Schindler; 31 August 1879 – 11 December 1964) was a Viennese-born socialite well known in her youth for her beauty and vivacity. She became the wife, successively, of composer Gustav Mahler, architect Walter Gropius, and novelist Franz Werfel, as well as the consort of several other prominent men. Musically active from her teens, she was the composer of at least seventeen songs for voice and piano. In later years her salon became an important feature of the artistic scene, first in Vienna, then in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alma Schindler was young, hot and talented in a man's world; this book, allowing for some callowness, articulates the challenges she faced with energy and vividness.

[Antonija · Rating 5 out of 5]

"On the way back we had a serious conversation about the forces of Nature, the sun, the moon, man and the universe. As knowledge and intellect grow, and old beliefs are cast aside, we become increasingly aware that we shall never know anything, that we are powerless. What does the moon look like? [A region of dormant volcanoes.] What is the sun? A chaos of burning gases that vibrate, producing light,
or a burning mass of lava which is gradually cooling down and will end up, just like the earth, as a planet? Will it cool still further and become a moon? Will that be the outcome of our actions? A moon, a world without life, without warmth, frigid, rigid? The greatest works of man destroyed, forgotten? All of us - forgotten? Mankind is so terribly small and ineffectual. Why do we create? What are we? A molecule in the universe. What is the universe? With the help of science we shall come to understand something of creation, but then the end will follow. I'm convinced that science will transform us into demigods, but before we realize it, the end will follow. And the same process will begin on the sun, which by then will have cooled down, and on countless millions of other suns circling in the universe. The further science advances, the further art will decline."
- Alma Mahler

[Deirdre Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed reading it, but thought she seemed like a highly annoying person

[D M · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone deeply interested in cultural life in fin-de-siecle Vienna, this book is an incredible read. Alma's diary entries include interactions with artists of the Vienna Secession, weekly trips to the opera, her hot and heavy relationship with Alexander Zemlinsky, and so much more.

The one critique I have of this book is the needlessly condescending footnotes from its compiler, Antony Beaumont. He clearly takes pleasure in pointing out when Alma might have notated a musical excerpt incorrectly, or offered a comment on a book that would be negated once she read further. Completely unnecessary.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A portrait of womanhood: yearning, anger, despair, desire, being not enough and too much all at once.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman, Gustav Mahler's wife, was acquainted with most of the major artistic and musical figures in turn of the century Vienna. Great primary source material for a person wanting to get a feel for fin de siecle Vienna.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the shortened, Dutch translation. I'd like to read the complete, German edition.

[Colin Penman]

Raaaaaaaacy! The Viennese good time had by all.