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Austrian composer and conductor of the late-Romantic era, renowned for his emotionally charged symphonies and song cycles. Born in Bohemia, Mahler rose to prominence as a conductor across Europe's major opera houses including Vienna Court Opera and later led the New York Philharmonic. His compositional output includes nine completed symphonies and orchestral song cycles like 'Kindertotenlieder'. Though his music gained widespread recognition posthumously, Mahler faced antisemitism during his lifetime and endured profound personal tragedies.

• Mahler converted from Judaism to Catholicism in 1897 to secure directorship of the Vienna Court Opera amid antisemitic policies.
• In 1907, Mahler experienced a 'triple tragedy': forced resignation from Vienna Opera, death of his daughter Maria from scarlet fever, and diagnosis of fatal heart disease.
• His marriage to composer Alma Schindler was strained by his demand that she abandon her musical career; she later had affairs including with Walter Gropius.
• Mahler died of bacterial endocarditis at 50. His last word was reportedly 'Mozartl!' (Viennese diminutive for Mozart).
• Nazis banned his music for decades due to Mahler's Jewish heritage, delaying his global recognition until the 1960s revival.