There is growing evidence for the value of music in helping those experiencing hardship to flourish and its role in the promotion of resilience (Gerber et al., 2014; Viola et al., 2023). Conversely, social inequality itself deprives lower-income communities of the multiple benefits associated with active music participation (Francisco Reyes, 2019; Hughes, 2023). In this paper, we will consider the significant adversity in the life of the composer Gustav Mahler and the protective role of his music. Mahler's music is inextricably bound up with his life, his beliefs and feelings. Mahler's attribution of meaning to his music acted as a sustaining and cathartic agent, enabling him to express, process, resolve and transform the suffering and loss faced from a very young age into sublime songs and symphonies.

With limited space, we can only touch the surface of the ideas and complex music under discussion. But, as we will show below, Mahler is an excellent example to illustrate the healing and transformative power of music: through the subjects of his compositions, and through the act of creation itself. A great composer, like Mahler, demonstrates this process more clearly, but it is relevant to everyone, regardless of their talent or expertise.

越来越多的证据表明音乐在帮助那些经历困难的人蓬勃发展方面的价值及其在促进复原力方面的作用（Gerber 等人，  2014 年；Viola 等人，  2023 年）。相反，社会不平等本身剥夺了低收入社区与积极音乐参与相关的多重好处（Francisco Reyes，  2019；Hughes，  2023）。在本文中，我们将考虑作曲家古斯塔夫·马勒生活中的重大逆境以及他的音乐的保护作用。马勒的音乐与他的生活、信仰和感情有着千丝万缕的联系。马勒对音乐的意义赋予了他一种支撑和宣泄的力量，使他能够表达、处理、解决和将自幼面临的痛苦和失落转化为崇高的歌曲和交响乐。

由于篇幅有限，我们只能触及所讨论的想法和复杂音乐的表面。但是，正如我们将在下面展示的那样，马勒是一个很好的例子，通过他的作品主题以及通过创作行为本身来说明音乐的治愈和变革力量。像马勒这样的伟大作曲家更清楚地展示了这个过程，但它与每个人都相关，无论他们的才华或专业知识如何。