Robert Schumann

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.

It was an unforgettable picture to see Chopin sitting at the piano like a clairvoyant, lost in his dreams; to see how his vision communicated itself through his playing, and how, at the end of each piece, he had the sad habit of running one finger over the length of the plaintive keyboard, as though to tear himself forcibly away from his dream.

I am so fresh in soul and spirit that life gushes and bubbles around me in a thousand springs.

Think it a vile habit to alter works of good composers, to omit parts of them, or to insert new-fashioned ornaments. This is the greatest insult you can offer to Art.

You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open, or you've looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.

Endeavour to play easy pieces well and with elegance; that is better than to play difficult pieces badly.

For me, music is always the language which permits one to converse with the Beyond.

We have learned to express the more delicate nuances of feeling by penetrating more deeply into the mysteries of harmony.

We may be sure that a genius like Mozart, were he born today, would write concertos like Chopin and not like Mozart.

If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.

I feel so entirely in my element with a full orchestra; even if my mortal enemies were marshalled before me, I could lead them, master them, surround them, or repulse them.

People compose for many reasons, to become immortal; because the piano happens to be open; because they want to become a millionaire; because of the praise of friends; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; or for no reason whatsoever.

Mendelssohn I consider the first musician of the day; I doff my hat to him as my superior. He plays with everything, especially with the grouping of the instruments in the orchestra, but with such ease, delicacy and art, with such mastery throughout.

My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so, Music and Law.

Nature best teaches how to pray, and how to reverence all the gifts the Almighty has given us. She is like a vast outspread handkerchief, embroidered with God's eternal name, on which we may dry alike our tears of sorrow and of joy; she turns weeping into ecstasy, and fills our hearts with speechless, quiet reverence and resignation.

Nothing right can be accomplished in art without enthusiasm.