Mahler's birth date and time

[grahami]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum - in fact new to the web - but not new to Mahler, having fallen in love with his fourth symphony as a child, and now somewhat obsessed with most of his symphonies.
I am researching for an article I'm writing for the Journal of the Astrological Association of Great Britain (for a regular column 'My Hero'), wishing to write on Mahler. For the purposes of an astrological investigation into someone one must have their birth date, time and place.

Unfortunately, it seems that there is even debate as to whether Mahler was born on the 7th July (according to him, and most biographies) or the 1st July (as his parents insisted).

Could any of you with wider knowledge of his life please confirm his date of birth, and - though I suspect this is a big ask - his approximate birth time. Many thanks,
Graham

[James Meckley]

Graham,

Welcome to the group.

I assume you've consulted Henry-Louis de La Grange. In Mahler, Volume 1, he writes the following in footnote 2 of Chapter 1:

"In Mahler's lifetime the members of his family seem to have been uncertain whether July 1 or July 7 was the date of his birth. The later date has now been established definitely by his birth certificate, which survives in the Prague Archives (Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Bezirk Unterkralowitz. Geburtsmatrikel. Register Nr. 120 a G. page 42 Nr. 16)."

Of course, public records being what they are, the information on the birth certificate might also be called into question. What was the source of information for the certificate? Was it a civic official or a member of the clergy, and how would they know more about the actual DOB than the parents themselves?

I'm afraid I've never read anything concerning the precise time of his birth.

You might also post an inquiry on the Mahler List—there are several scholarly types over there, and Henry-Louis himself makes an occasional contribution.

James

[Zoltan]

Uh, astrology ...