When one does a thing, it appears good, otherwise one would not write it. Only later comes reflection, and one discards or accepts the thing. Time is the best censor, and patience a most excellent teacher.

Sometimes I can only groan, and suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano.

My manuscripts sleep, while I cannot, for I am covered with poultices.

Bach is an astronomer, discovering the most marvellous stars. Beethoven challenges the universe. I only try to express the soul and the heart of man.

Put all your soul into it, play the way you feel!

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

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