gustav mahler (born kalischt (now kalište), bohemia, july 7 1860; died vienna, may 18 1911) was a czech-austrian composer and conductor. he was one of the last great composers of the romantic period. he wrote ten symphonies (he left the tenth symphony unfinished) and several collections of songs with orchestral accompaniment. he was very interested in german folk song and he found new ways to use folk song in large orchestral symphonies. his work "das lied von der erde" ("the song of the earth") is one his greatest works, combining song with the sonata form of a symphony. he was also a great conductor and helped to make the vienna opera world famous.