I also had a brother who was like me a musician and a composer. A man of great talent, far more gifted than I. He died very young... he killed himself in the prime of his life.

Life's been nothing but paperwork.

In Bach, the vital cells of music are united as the world is in God.

I was a crazy young man who let himself be blinded by his passions and obeyed only the impulses of the moment.

Melodic invention is one of the surest signs of a divine gift.

The longer you live and the more you learn, the more clearly you will feel the difference between the few men who are truly great and the mere virtuosi.

When I have reached a summit, I leave it with great reluctance, unless it is to reach for another, higher one.