Behind me the branches of a wasted and sterile existence are cracking.
Melodic invention is one of the surest signs of a divine gift.
It should be oneโs sole endeavor to see everything afresh and create it anew.
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.
I have become a different person. I don't know whether this person is better, he certainly is not happier.
If I weren't the way I am, I shouldn't write my symphonies.