You canโt, if you canโt feel it, if it never Rises from the soul, and sways The heart of every single hearer, With deepest power, in simple ways. Youโll sit forever, gluing things together, Cooking up a stew from otherโs scraps, Blowing on a miserable fire, Made from your heap of dying ash. Let apes and children praise your art, If their admirationโs to your taste, But youโll never speak from heart to heart, Unless it rises up from your heartโs space.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThe artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheMusic is either sacred or secular. The sacred agrees with its dignity, and here has its greatest effect on life, an effect that remains the same through all ages and epochs. Secular music should be cheerful throughout.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe