Satoshi Akima <[log in to unmask]> suggests that Mahler started eating
meat again to medicate his heartdisease:

>Bizarrely for us today Mahler suddenly started eating meat as he became
>increasing obsessed with the idea that this was essential for him, whereas
>he had been a strict vegetarian beforehand.

This is not true.  Mahler gave up vegetarianism (and most of Wagners
oddities which he was obsessed to) before his late thirties.  Kurt Blaukopf
is one source here which spring to mind.  Some Wagner biographer mentions
it also.

>Death had always been imminent to Mahler.  His younger brother died
>as he was growing up for example.

His daughters death and Kindertodtenlieder an other example.  But I agree
with Mr. Akima, Mahler was fascinated with life and death, and he speaks
about this in many compositions.  Listen to the waltz in the 5 symphony,
or 3.  movement of 1 symphony, for instance.  Besides I think NAXOS made a
fitting choice in their Mahler series where you can find Gustav Klimts
"Life and Death" on the cover to the ninth symphony.

Mats Norrman
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