The only true immortality lies in one's children..

If we cannot write with the beauty of Mozart, let us at least try to write with his purity..

It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table..

Reviewer: 'One of your themes was very similar to one of Beethoven's!' Brahms replied, 'Of course it is. Everyone steals - the important thing is to ….

It is a real pleasure to see music so bright and spontaneous expressed with corresponding ease and grace..

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind..

Composers in the old days used to keep strictly to the base of the theme, as their real subject. Beethoven varies the melody, harmony and rhythms so ….

One should never forget that by actually perfecting one piece one gains and learns more than by starting or half-finishing a dozen..

In my study I can lay my hand on the Bible in the pitch dark. All truly inspired ideas come from God. The powers from which all truly great composers….

It is not hard to compose but it is wonderfully hard to let the superfluous notes fall under the table. . . So many melodies fly about, one must be c….

Those who enjoy their own emotionally bad health and who habitually fill their own minds with the rank poisons of suspicion, jealousy and hatred, as ….

Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye, but they are clothed in the right….

For the shallow delights of matrimony and opera I have no courage..

If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon..

My things really are written with an appalling lack of practicality!.

Those are miracles that no merely human brain can work. The artist is merely the sound conduct of a Force that dictates to him what he should do..

The fact that most people do not understand and respect the very best things, such as Mozart's concertos, is what permits men like us to become famou….

A symphony is no joke..

To follow in Beethoven's footsteps transcends one's strength..

How lucky is the man who, like Mozart and others, goes to the tavern of an evening and writes some fresh music. For he lives while he is creating..

Straightaway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God..