10th Gustav Mahler Festival from 21 to 28 June 2026

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Mahler's Universe

The Third Symphony

Gustav Mahler understood his role as a composer in an extraordinary way. For him, composing was nothing less than a profound creative act. Convinced that creative genius gives artists a privileged perspective on existence, Mahler felt compelled to grapple with the big questions of life and death and humanity's struggle to find meaning. He once said:

A symphony must be like the world; it must contain everything.

The Third Symphony, composed almost entirely in Steinbach am Attersee in the summers of 1895 and 1896, undoubtedly fulfills this task, presenting all of existence in a gradual hierarchy of being—from the awakening of life through plants, animals, and humans to the summit of the universe in the love of God. As such, the work is a testament to how Mahler viewed the physical and spiritual world, offering an opportunity to explore the composer's worldview and philosophy of life.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Gustav Mahler Festival Steinbach and 130 years after the completion of Mahler's Third Symphony, the 2026 festival will be dedicated entirely to the composer's sound cosmos in an extended festival week – offering diverse perspectives on nature, humanity, and music.

Program Preview 2026

June 21 to 28, 2026

To mark its 10th anniversary, the 2026 festival will dedicate an entire week to the composer and his extraordinary work. The program includes concerts, a themed nature excursion based on the Third Symphony, a nighttime boat trip, nature experiences, a series of lectures, a film screening, exhibitions, guided tours, and panel discussions.

We look forward to welcoming:

The Bruckner Orchester Linz

conducted by principal conductor Markus Poschner

Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano

Eduard Kutrowatz, piano

Jason Starr, filmmaker

John Warner with Orchestra for the Earth (GB), chamber orchestra

Ensemble Liaison (Australia), trio: clarinet, cello, piano

Thomas Hampson, Mahler expert

Joseph Horowitz, cultural historian and author

and other contributors, as well.

Gustav Mahler, Third Symphony Bruckner Orchester Linz

Sunday, 28 Juni 2026

The highlight of the festival week will be the performance of the Third Symphony by the Bruckner Orchester Linz under the baton of Principal Conductor Markus Poschner in the Steinbach Hall – just a few meters away from the place where Mahler composed his masterpiece.

Tickets & program information

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GUSTAV MAHLER Symphonie 2 & GULDA Cellokonzert - Philharmonie Salzburg, Steinbach am Attersee Fotos © Mathias Lauringer - courtesy Kulturhauptstadt Europas Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024 und Gemeinde Steinbach

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In 2026, the Mahler Festival Steinbach will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an extraordinary festival week centered around “Mahler's Universe – The Third Symphony.”

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Programmänderungen vorbehalten.

Gustav Mahler and the Village of Steinbach am Attersee

Gustav Mahler loved vacationing at Lake Attersee and resided in the summer months from 1893 to 1896 at the Gasthof zum Höllengebirge in the village of Steinbach am Attersee.

The stunning area worked wonders on Mahler's creativity: over the course of four summers he completed the Second Symphony, a half dozen songs, and the entire Third Symphony in his specially built composing hut.

Mahler in the village of Steinbach

Gustav Mahler Festival Steinbach

The Gustav Mahler Festival in Steinbach am Attersee is a multi-day celebration that usually takes place around the composer's birthday on July 7th.

Musical gems as well as cultural and historical insights into the area around this historic place are presented every year.

The program deliberately offers enough time for everyone involved to exchange ideas and enjoy the unique natural setting in order to be able to celebrate Mahler's inspiration in all its facets.

Review Festivals

Visiting Gustav Mahler's composing hut

View the exhibition in a new window in full screen

A place with a magical atmosphere

Important works by Gustav Mahler were composed in this small hut on the lake shore of Hotel Föttinger. In 1985, the composing hut was renovated true to its original form by the International Gustav Mahler Society and the Föttinger family, and in 2016 the permanent exhibition was renewed with scholarly and creative support from the International Gustav Mahler Society. Inside you will also find the annual special exhibit of the Steinbach Gustav Mahler Festival. More about the composing hut...