A symphony is no joke.

Study Bach. There you will find everything.

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.

In my study I can lay my hand on the Bible in the pitch dark. All truly inspired ideas come from God. The powers from which all truly great composers like Mozart, Schubert, Bach and Beethoven drew their inspirations is the same power that enabled Jesus to do his miracles.

It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.

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

Never criticize the composition of a Royal Highness. You never know who may have written it.