Diaries 1898-1902

Amazon.com

Alma Mahler was born in Vienna in 1879. As the daughter of the landscape painter Emile Schindler, she was afforded easy entrance into the cultural life of the city; it seems that by the time these diaries open there was no part of the artistic, musical, literary, and theatrical life in fin-de-siècle Vienna with which Alma was not intimately connected. Before marrying the composer Gustav Mahler in 1902, Alma had already been a pupil and lover of Zemlinsky, Klimt, and Burckhard. (And after Mahler died she married Walter Gropius, had an affair with Oskar Kokoschka, and then married Franz Werfel.) In combining the naiveté of a teenager on the cusp of womanhood with a wonderfully frank account of a remarkable time and place, Alma has left a priceless and unique record of personal and artistic history. The editor and translator Antony Beaumont rightly comments that reading the diaries is like "raising a curtain, behind which stands the Vienna of 1900 in all its majesty. So close that you can almost reach out and touch it". --Nick Wroe

Book Description

The manuscript of Alma Mahler's Diaries, a pile of old exercise books, lay unread and seemingly illegible in the library of an American university. In search of the truth about Alma and Alexander Zemlinsky, Antony Beaumont read them--and found what he was looking for. But he found far more: the authentic saga of one of the century's most charismatic personalities. The Diaries depict in intimate detail the four years during which Alma grew from adolescence into womanhood. Opening with her first, heady affair with Gustav Klimt, they break off shortly before her marriage to Gustav Mahler. "To me," writes Beaumont, "reading The Diaries is like raising a curtain, behind which stands the Vienna of 1900 in all its majesty, and so close that one can almost reach out and touch it. The vitality of everyday life, eye-witness accounts of significant artistic events, unique insights into the behavioral patterns and linguistic conventions of homo austriacus--all these serve to make the book unique." Having come to grips with Alma's handwriting, Beaumont and his coeditor for the German edition, Susanne Rode-Breymann, added meticulously researched commentaries and annotations. The German edition was published in the autumn of 1997.

Customer Reviews:

Time Travel Back to Old Vienna.......2006-04-10

Biographies can easily become subjective, as they rely upon the person telling the story. With diaries, we have almost a first-hand look at what the writer was thinking.

These diaries of Alma Mahler reveal the usual thoughts and feelings of a teenage girl and young woman. Alma desperately wishes to "be somebody," but she's not sure of how to achieve it. She spends years studying music, and practicing composition, but her works are simply fair or good, but not remarkable.

Then, she finds out what she's really outstanding at: attracting brilliant artists from all fields. This includes men such as Gustav Mahler, the composer, Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus architect, Franz Werfel, the novelist, Alexander von Zemlinsky, the composer, Gustav Klimt, the painter, Oskar Kokoschka, another painter, and many others.

Although her own art never achieved for her the fame she would have liked, perhaps she inspired all these other greats to go beyond what might have been their own limitations. There is a tendency, as you will see from photographs of Alma, to believe that men were attracted to her because of her spectacular beauty. But as you will see from these diaries, her personality must have also played a large role. She is coquettish, yet honest, and vacillates between between overestimating her successes, yet feeling humble about how much more she wishes she could be.

But what I believe you will find the best feature of this book, is seeing geniuses like Gustav Mahler and Walter Gropius, through the eyes of a young woman, who saw them up-close, as real, live men. It's like traveling back in time, for a close-up, personal look at these famous artists.

Creativity and Human Development.......2002-09-29

As a long-term diary writer myself I was interested in Mahler-Werfel's diary and the manner in which the voice of the nineteen-year old woman is expressed (and the next two years of her life). Often when I reread my own writings I cringe at my ideas and philosophies when I was young and it takes some time for me to empathise with myself and regain a feeling for the person I was. One of the great features of these diaries is that they truly express the voice of the nineteen-year old, they have not been edited to provide a more sophisticated voice. Perhaps Mahler-Werfel cringed a bit at herself in the way I do, perhaps that is why she never published these diaries during her lifetime, although we do know she gave it some consideration. But I think it is important that we heed the voice expressed in youthful writings because it reassociates us with the people we once were, and hopefully gives us greater empathy with the youth of today.
The most challenging aspect of these diaries is Mahler-Werfel's revelations of her growing sexual awareness with its contradictions, rapid changes of view, hesitancies, self criticism, and intemperate admissions. This is emotional and at times erotic writing. While we can allow Mahler-Werfel the licence to say what she wants about herself, it is less readily acceptable that she describes the behaviour of her partners - some of them quite historic figures. But this is the voice of youth going through very tumultuous personal times. Most people move through these times with varying degrees of ease and distress. Mahler-Werfel's writing reminded me of Wedekind's play `Springtime Awakening'. The awakening is not satisfactory for all - and is sometimes disastrous. For Mahler-Werfel we can only speculate.
Mahler-Werfel associated with many great artistic figures - in the times of these diaries there are Gustav Klimt, Alexander Zemlinsky and Gustav Mahler. Her reflections on these figures make them more alive than many histories. For her, they were living pulsing human beings and we see them in that way.
But was Mahler-Werfel extraordinary herself? I find it hard to decide. She obviously was not your average woman of the time, and yet it is possible to see her as just a spoilt rich girl who happened to have a pretty face. In her diaries she speaks of writing a song (lied) in a day, playing the whole of Tristan on the piano in an evening. And yet her musical examples noted in the diary are so poorly notated and often so inaccurate that it is hard not to think she had little genuine talent. Perhaps someone else completed the lieder from her tenuous musical ideas. But equally possible is that she was a real talent and, as popular history tells us, was suppressed by Mahler in their marriage. To me, however, there is another reading in that marriage to Mahler enabled her to renounce her musical ambitions, which she knew would never match those of Mahler no matter how hard she worked. To be fair about her musical notation however, we need to remember that all her writings border on the unreadable (perhaps that was deliberate - a sort of code?) although the single-minded line drawings she included are quite fine in a limited way (are they all of pretty Alma herself?).
Another way to judge her musical astuteness is her reviews and critiques of the many concerts she attended. At first look they seem to match the views of the day - wildly supportive of Wagner, dismissive of Bach, Saint-Saens and even Mozart. Was she just copying the view of the day? But then there are the changes of view - suddenly the opinion on Mozart changes, she starts to see some flat spots in Wagner. This does seem to suggest self-awareness in her musical views and even if it is selective acceptance of different critical opinion she shows a capability to make the change. There is one final thought that came to me as I read the diaries - perhaps her influence was so great (it certainly wasn't trivial) that she went some way to actually forming the critical view of the day.
I was immensely fascinated by these writings. If you are interested in human development and artistic creativity I recommend you do not overlook them. One thing is certain - Mahler-Werfel was an impassioned writer as a young woman.

Donýt you want to be her?.......2002-05-11

Alma Schindler - the goddess, the muse, the center of attention ... How did she manage that? How did she become an obsession of so many genial men, a thing of admiration of the Secessionist Vienna? But simply - she was a remarkable woman. And also, happened to be pretty and at the right place at the right time, born into an artistic family. It was said that she had a hearing defect. She would move closer to her companion in order to hear better. Men found that irresistible.

One would expect her to be vain and conceited. Through her diary, we entered her mind - she is none of that. At least, not more than any of us. She is an insecure girl. She has fears, doubts about herself, she loves passionately... Alas, her anti-Semitic feelings are shocking. At first, she is quite tolerant and objects anti-Semitic sentiments. Then she changes. One can only find the reason in propaganda being already pretty aggressive. She lives among Jewish families, loves Jewish men and marries two of them. Why then? And how did it happen that she married Mahler so quickly?

"Please God, give me some great mission, give me something great to do!" She could have been quite a good artist. Her drawings show certain talent that could have been developed into something much more. She could have taken drawing classes and maybe, her mission would have been even greater. But she pursued music even though it
seemed that she lacked the talent - not one of her opera impressions on the notepaper correspond to the real score. She never composed a great opera she dreamed of. But she left her mark in the history of arts and love.

This book is a great document. The correspondence between the authors just adds to the value. I only wish there were more photos of Alma as well as letters that she received. It would have been nice to read passionate words of her admirers. At the end, instead of an epilogue, there should have been a short biography. And a word of two about her sisters and mother would have been valuable. What happened to her sister Maria? I guess I need to start searching.

A personal and interesting insight........2000-03-15

Alma Mahler was a fascinating woman and this diary gives an unique insight into her personality and those she knew. Her growing years, developing both emotionally and in personality come through as does her determination and zest for life. Her time with Gustav Mahler is fascinating and sheds an interesting light into his character and fears at this time. A fascinating read.

Ice Window: Letters from a Bering Strait Village 1898-1902

Average customer rating:

Ice Window: Letters from a Bering Strait Village 1898-1902
Kathleen Lopp-Smith
Manufacturer: University of Alaska Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Educators | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Reference & Collections | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

In a Far Country: The True Story of a Mission, a Marriage, a Murder,and the Remarkable Reindeer Rescue of 1898

ASIN: 1889963216

Average customer rating:

Alma Mahler-Werfel Diaries 1898-1902
Beaumont Antony
Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UF48O4

Klondike tenderfoot: From the diaries of Clare M. Stroud Boyntan Philips, 1898-1902

Average customer rating:

Klondike tenderfoot: From the diaries of Clare M. Stroud Boyntan Philips, 1898-1902
Clare M. Stroud Boyntan Phillips
Manufacturer: Virigina Nethercott
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Canadian | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Western Provinces | Regional Canada | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Tagebuch-Suiten 1898-1902
Alma Mahler-Werfel
Manufacturer: Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

German | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Entertainment | German | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books

History | German | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books

Nonfiction | German | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books

All German Books | German | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 3100461061

Diaries, 1898-1902.(translated by Antony Beaumont)(Review): An article from: Notes

Average customer rating:

Diaries, 1898-1902.(translated by Antony Beaumont)(Review): An article from: Notes
David Trendell
Manufacturer: Music Library Association, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Online Books | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Notes, published by Music Library Association, Inc. on March 1, 2000. The length of the article is 1238 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Diaries, 1898-1902.(translated by Antony Beaumont)(Review)
Author: David Trendell
Publication: Notes (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 2000
Publisher: Music Library Association, Inc.
Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Page: 720

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:

Alma Mahler-Werfel, Diaries 1898-1902
Anthony (translator) Beaumont
Manufacturer: Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000X3I0K6

Average customer rating:

Diaries, 1898-1902
Alma Mahler-Werfel
Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OLTQQY

Great great grandmother Monroe's 1898-1902 diary

Average customer rating:

Great great grandmother Monroe's 1898-1902 diary
Mary Thomson Bigger Monroe
Manufacturer: Mr. & Mrs. B.G. Wilson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006Y08OI

The journal of chaplain Charles Amos Cressy, 13th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry: Manila, Philippine Islands, May 19, 1899-September 7, 1899

Average customer rating:

The journal of chaplain Charles Amos Cressy, 13th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry: Manila, Philippine Islands, May 19, 1899-September 7, 1899
Charles A Cressy
Manufacturer: s.n.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Philippines | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Spain | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

There is no richer tradition in college sports than University of Kentucky basketball. Tales from the Kentucky Hardwood recounts the school's glorious roundball history through timeless stories from the players and coaches who shaped it. Some of the stories will leave the reader howling with laughter, others will inspire tears, but all will enable the reader to experience a feeling of closeness to the unique phenomena that is Kentucky basketball. Former University of Kentucky play-by-play telecaster Denny Trease highlights the hilarious anecdotes and poignant tales told and retold during more than 70 years of Wildcat mania. From the Adolph Rupp era to the new millennium, there has been an endless parade of colorful characters associated with the Big Blue basketball machine. Their zany antics and sometimes-subtle one-liners make Tales from the Kentucky Hardwood a must-read for any Wildcat fan.

Customer Reviews:

Reverent History of UK Basketball.......2005-12-21

I got this for my dad on his birthday in October and he recently finished it and told me how much he enjoyed reading it, SOOO, I can conclude it makes a nice gift for a Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan. (Although `fanatic' better describes my dad every March.) The stories in Tales from the Kentucky Hardwood ranged from thrilling recountings of games where microseconds counted, to tales of the colorful coaches, Adolph Rupp to Tubby Smith, who led the Wildcats to so many successful seasons down thru the years. This is a well-written, respectful trip into the distant and not so distant past of one of the most storied athletic programs in the NCAA, and what makes it so special and separates it from the dry, praising look back it could have been is the extent to which players, staff and coaches from a half-century of teams stepped forward to lend their support in the creation of this book. Their input was invaluable and went a long way toward elevating Tales to a work of cultural importance in a region where basketball outranks perhaps even horse racing as the state's most cherished institution.

Great read on UK Basketball.......2004-12-28

I thought this book was very good. Lots of nice, short stories of UK basketball (players, coaches, etc.). A great read for any UK fan.

Customer Reviews:

Order at a lower price.......2006-07-07

This and all the other Jean Hunnisett Period Costume titles can be ordered directly from the publisher, Players Press, Inc., Studio City, CA for ONLY $59.00 each.

Ah, yes, grid reference............2004-05-26

I received this book as part of a group of textbooks received for my costume design course at FIDM. I used a nice, red, ballpoint pen (this would've been 1990, y'know, before acid/lignin-free - and especially non-bleeding - pens were freely available) to mark out my ten-grid grid. Anyway, I used the Phoenix (Elizabethan or Jacobean) corset pattern to make one of my projects, and it turned out beautifully (if only it still fit me!). I also drafted a Tudor corset from one of the patterns, and we did a panier petticoat from this text as well.

You might say the book is well-loved. Really, really, well-loved.

Which, I would think, goes far in stating how useful this book is, and how much information, especially in the form of period patterns, is available within. I couldn't have done without it, and I don't think anyone else should have to.

very useful book.......2001-08-09

When I look at the few period costumes I made (I'm only a beginner), I really think this book helped me to improve my cutting abilities, sewing tips and above all, the authentic period feeling when the garment is worn and moves on stage. Jean Hunnisett tells you what you're expecting to find at the end of your work and helps you to understand the historical background of period costume. This is the only book which explains in detail the draping method over a corset and guides you step-by-step in the construction of the costume but it is sometimes a bit confusing in her sewing instructions and she gives the impression there's only one way to realize something (ex: 18th century corset). Anyway, I learned a lot and she's a very good teacher. (Don't be tempted to enlarge her scaled patterns,it doesn't work very well( too many corrections) and it's easier to make your own patterns by the flat or by draping.)

A must have for theatrical designers!.......2000-01-07

This is a superb tool for any theatrical designer/period pattern maker! Jean Hunnisett's experience with the BBC is unmatched and this book is the standard of perfection. It's a clearly defined guide for the correct shape and cut of any era of costume, whether it be Tudor or Georgian. The information and tips that she 'unlocks' will give you a total sense of what each garment should look like in complete detail, with outstanding illustrations and descriptions, from the draping process, fitting, constructing, and trimming. Jean Hunnisett is a master in her craft, and her attention to period accuracy is clearly shown in all three books.

An excellent resource for the serious costumer.......1998-09-22

Hunniset gives scale patterns of garments that are functional and provide a period sillhouette from the foundation up. The scale is something you have to be careful with, however, because different patterns are drawn on different scales.This book is for the experienced sewer and should be considered a technical manual rather than a research resource but I have not found its equal in clarity, correctness and completeness. I reccomend the whole set!

Period Costume for Stage and Screen: Patterns for Women's Dress 1500-1800 (Practical Period Costume)

Average customer rating:

Period Costume for Stage and Screen: Patterns for Women's Dress 1500-1800 (Practical Period Costume)
Jean Hunnisett
Manufacturer: Drama Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

History | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Fashion | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0713526602

Book Description

DANCE OF THE RAINBOW SERPENT is a three-volume journey through three decades of the music of Carlos Santana. It includes full-color photo sections, music transcribed in standard notation and tab, and complete solos. Volume 1 features: Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen * Everybody's Everything * Evil Ways * Flame Sky * In a Silent Way * Naima * Oye Como Va * Samba Pa Ti * Song of the Wind * Soul Sacrifice.

Customer Reviews:

DYNAMITE . . . This little book explodes with excitement!.......1998-03-15

ALL STAR games from ALL STAR YOUTH LEADERS is jam-packed with some of the best games I have ever seen. What a wonderful feature - The all-star advice from the youth leaders gives helpful suggestions for every game. The book is not very big, but EVERY game is a winner. I highly recommend this book.

Customer Reviews:

very brief.......2007-07-02

When purchasing this book I thought it outlined how to detail. Unfortunatly all this book goes into is reccomendations on how to structure your detailing business. There are no tips on how to more efficiently detail cars, or which methods are better to use. For anyone that has some business sense this book is essentially useless.

This book has it all to get you started.......2007-01-23

From a-z this book covers it. This book will lead you in the right direction for anybody who wants to start in detailing. Plus websites where you can get your business started the right way.

Easy to read and affordable to purchase..........2006-11-15

When reviewing different books on automotive detailing I found this to be the most logical choice. It gives a basic rundown of the business and goes into slight detail the steps involved in detailing. I figure this book will either make me better at detailing my own car or help me start my own business.

above and beyond just a resource!.......2006-04-08

my fiancee, best friend and i are starting a detail business and this book was absolutely awesome! all i was looking for was maybe a reference tool and this blew me out of the water with great tips and advice. if youre looking for a book to help you start a business like this, this IS the book to get! the best part about this book is that it doesnt bury you in text. its extremely clear and concise and easy to read.

Starting your own Automobile Detailing Business.......2005-12-05

I was so glad to finally find such a comprehensive text on automobile detailing. Current information about automobile detailing is very scarce but this book filled many voids. From start-up to marketing to advertising to sales to legal requirements, this text covered it all in a concise and understandable fashion. If any more texts about automobile detailing are published, I would like to be made aware of it.

Thanks for such an informative text.

Regards,
A Finer Detail
Frisco, Texas

Start Your Own Automobile Detailing Business

Average customer rating:

Start Your Own Automobile Detailing Business
Entrepreneur Press
Manufacturer: Entrepreneur Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Entrepreneurship | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1599181762

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books