From Gustav Mahler: Letters to His Wife

My beloved Almschi,

This is my last letter from here. In truth, it seems hard to believe that Goethe was born in this place, for apart from the sign over the door of the coffee house, which bears his name, there’s absolutely nothing to remind you of it. – I hope this letter arrives in the morning, as before, and then in the afternoon, at a few minutes past five o’clock, we shall meet again. –

Today was the final rehearsal. All in all, everyone did quite well. Due to their lack of refinement, I have to admit that the first movement sounded a little too massive, but the last three movements will make their effect. I took absolutely no notice of the audience, and when someone timidly attempted to applaud, I muttered something under my breath to the orchestra.

When I next see you, I’ll tell you how it went. – The last of your two dear letters arrived simultaneously. They are very sweet.

For me, my Almscherl, you will always be the same! And I am indeed happy to be returning to you and Putzi.

Auf Wiedersehen, my dearest.

Your old Gustl

Gustav Mahler to Alma Mahler / Frankfurt / December 1903

摘自《憶馬勒——回憶錄與書信集》第296頁

我親愛的阿爾姆希！

今天是在這座城市的最後一次了，它真的並不在意，歌德是誕生在這裡。如果不是在一家咖啡館的牌匾上正好有這個名字的話，那人們就絕對想不到這點。但願你又是在早晨收到這封信，下午五點多我們就又見面了。

今天是彩排。人們都更加勇氣十足。由於他們的粗放，第一樂章顯然有些過於臃腫，但後來的三個樂章已經順利了。我對觀眾根本就沒有顧及，有幾次鼓掌喝彩的嘗試，我都立即用半大聲音對樂隊說些什麼。

今晚情況如何，我將口頭告訴你。我今天同時收到你的兩封信。它們非常可親。
——你，我的阿爾姆希，永遠是我同一個的阿爾姆希！我幸福的又將回到你和普琪的身邊！再見，我最珍貴的人。

你的老古斯特

古斯塔夫·馬勒致阿爾瑪·馬勒／法蘭克福／1903年12月