mahler never became a teacher, but he gave a lot of encouragement to young composers such as arnold schoenberg, alban berg, anton webern and alexander zemlinsky. however, there were music critics in vienna who were anti-jewish and made things difficult for him. in 1907 his elder daughter maria died from scarlet fever. more bad news followed when mahler was found to have a bad heart. the doctor said he must give up his favourite pastimes: going for walks, cycling and swimming. mahler had done a tremendous amount for the cultural life of vienna, but he decided it was time to leave. the last thing he conducted in vienna was his second symphony.