Mahler vs Strauss: Lieder & Song cycles

[vers la flamme]

Between these roughly contemporary titans of Austro-Germanic late-or-post-Romantic music, which one, in your own estimation, wrote the better songs?

[Biffo]

I greatly prefer Mahler but that doesn't mean his songs are better than Strauss songs, just more to my taste.

[TheGSMoeller]

Strauss, Im Abendrot

[André]

Hard to decide. Most songs by Strauss are for female voice (soprano), while Mahler wrote for a low (often baritone) voice. Both wrote some immortal masterpieces. Strauss' Four Last Songs is my favourite work from their combined output.

[Mirror Image]

Der Abschied. Guess who I voted for?

[Mahlerian]

It seems people tend to like one composer or the other. I've had two composition teachers: one loved Mahler and disliked Strauss, the other loved Strauss and was suspicious of Mahler.

I'm not saying which of the two I prefer. Leave it to others to guess...

[some guy]

I want to see an option for Alma Mahler, too.

She wrote some seriously lovely songs. You know, before Gustav went all white male on her.

[Jo498]

Even discounting the lied-symphony "Das Lied von der Erde" I have to vote for Mahler. I must have about 3 discs with assorted Strauss' Lieder but I only remember the four last and "Morgen".