Here, waltzes are called works! And Strauss and Lanner, who play them for dancing, are called Kapellmeistern. This does not mean that everyone thinks like that; indeed, nearly everyone laughs about it; but only waltzes get printed.

They want me to give another concert but I have no desire to do so. You cannot imagine what a torture the three days before a public appearance are to me.

As something has involuntarily crept into my head through my eyes,I love to indulge it, even though it may be all wrong.

I really don't know whether any place contains more pianists than Paris, or whether you can find more asses and virtuosos anywhere.

My piano has not yet arrived. How did you send it? By Marseilles or by Perpignan? I dream music but I cannot make any because here there are not any pianos . . . in this respect this is a savage country.

I don't know how it is, but the Germans are amazed at me and I am amazed at them for finding anything to be amazed about.

I'm a revolutionary, money means nothing to me.