All these tales of people sitting down and composing symphonies just as though they were writing a letter are very much exaggerated; at least, it isn't that way in my work.

True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time.

Not many composers have ideas. Far more of them know how to use strange instruments which do not require ideas.

The extraordinary thing about my mother, she's so modest about me.

Writing music is not so much inspiration as hard work.

All these tales of people sitting down and composing symphonies just as though they were writing a letter are very much exaggerated; at least, it isn't that way in my work.

Originality is the only thing that counts. But the originator uses material and ideas that occur round him and pass through him. And out of his experience comes the original creation.