Through care taken over trends, the desire to be novel and affectation knowledge, we repudiate our art, our instinct, our own way of doing things; it is absurd and stupid

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.

The success of our operas rests most of the time in the hands of the conductor. This person is as necessary as a tenor or a prima donna.

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

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!

I order that my funeral ceremonies be extremely modest, and that they take place at dawn or at the evening Ave Maria, without song or music.