Gustav Mahler Composing House

Gustav Mahler’s composing hut is a small museum and memorial in Maiernigg, near Maria Wörth, Carinthia, Austria. It honors the classical composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911). From 1900 through 1907, Mozart retired to this cabin to compose music. A permanent exhibition has been on display here since July 7, 1986.

There is another a composing hut at the Gustav Mahler Stube in South Tyrol, Italy, and one near the Attersee in Upper Austria.

Visitors can view images, original sheet music, postcards, letters, and the composer’s death certificate in a display cabinet. In the room is a bronze bust.There is also a small library available for use.

Visitors can listen to Mahler’s music over loudspeakers both inside and outside the hut. Since the renewal in 2016, art expressions surrounding the hut are also permitted.

From 1900 to 1901, Mahler lived in Maiernigg and had this composing hut made by Friedrich Theuer.He took refuge in this cabin to compose music. He was the director and conductor of Vienna’s court opera (later the Vienna State Opera) at the time. The cottage served a practical purpose for Mahler because he had no time to compose while in Vienna.The hut was known as Study auf dem Kogel.

He finished his 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and sections of his 8th Symphony in Maiernigg. After his daughter Maria died on July 12, 1907, Mahler left his holiday home and traveled to Schluderbach in South Tyrol, which was still part of Austria at the time, where he spent the remainder of his vacation.

In 1981, the composing hut was designated a cultural historic site. The Gustav Mahler society of Klagenfurt refurbished it in 1985. It first opened on July 7, 1986. This association no longer exists, and the composing hut is maintained by the city of Klagenfurt. It was extended in 2016.