The culture of any country is gauged first by its progress in art.
Music expresses first of all sadness rather than joy.
If I miss one day of practice, I notice it. If I miss two days, the critics notice it. If I miss three days, the audience notices it.
Art must be a slow and normal evolution.
Music is the only art that actually lives.
Chopin was an invalid, as you know, but his music was volcanic.