Liszt commenting on the music of Frédéric Chopin: He confided . . . those inexpressible sorrows to which the pious give vent in their communication with their Maker. What they never say except upon their knees, he said in his palpitating compositions.

The earth is suffocating... Swear to make them cut me open, so that I won't be buried alive.

A long time ago I decided that my universe will be the soul and heart of man.

I haven't heard anything so great for a long time; Beethoven snaps his fingers at the whole world.

I tell my piano the things I used to tell you

There are certain times when I feel more inspired, filled with a strong power that forces me to listen to my inner voice, and when I feel more need than ever for a Pleyel piano.

Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly.