The artist must yield himself to his own inspiraton, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.

Of all composers, past and present, I am the least learned. I mean that in all seriousness, and by learning I do not mean knowledge of music.

I have striven for perfection, it has always eluded me, but I surely had an obligation to make one more try.

It is better to invert reality than to copy it.

I adore art...when I am alone with my notes, my heart pounds and the tears stream from my eyes, and my emotion and my joys are too much to bear.

Oh, you happy sons of the North who have been reared at the bosom of Bach, how I envy you!

It may be a good thing to copy reality; but to invent reality is much, much better.