Why is it easier to appreciate Mahler's music when you're slightly depressed?

Right after Mahler married the Mrs., she said, "Gustav, can you write some music to help me get through my period." Being the caring, loving husband he was, he cranked out a new piece every month and that's why his music is so depressing. Especially the Resurrection Symphony. That piece can make you cry, it's sooooo depressing. What Resurrection has to do with menstruation has been debated by our foremost musicologists for decades---with no resolution. Glad you like Mahler. Want depressing, try Symphony No. 9, That'll cure the cramps!!!!

Because Mahler's music is depressing. You can really sense the sadness in his pieces.

On that same note, when I'm driving around town in my jacked up pickup I love listening to Marche Slave by Tchaikovsky

probably because of the type of music just matches with how ur feeling. i think thats what music is good for, u find something to match with how ur feeling, and it comforts u the most because it relates so close to how u feel.

i do that with beethoven, if im mad or upset about something ill turn on something "heavy" by beethoven, like the 3rd movement of appassionata or some of his other powerful sonatas. although i like listening to the sonatas (or any of his works) at any time, i think its just better to liten to something that matches how ur feeling; it lets u know that although how ur feeling u may feel like ur the only person feeling it, it goes to show u that u really arent

You should listen to the 5th movement of his 2nd Symphony - absolutely gorgeous and not depressing.

That's a purely subjective viewpoint.