A symphony is no joke.

For the shallow delights of matrimony and opera I have no courage.

It is not hard to compose but it is wonderfully hard to let the superfluous notes fall under the table. . . So many melodies fly about, one must be careful not to tread on them.

Straightaway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God.

I sometimes ponder on variation form and it seems to me it ought to be more restrained, purer.

One should never forget that by actually perfecting one piece one gains and learns more than by starting or half-finishing a dozen.

Composers in the old days used to keep strictly to the base of the theme, as their real subject. Beethoven varies the melody, harmony and rhythms so beautifully.