The idea comes to me from outside of me - and is like a gift. I then take the idea and make it my own - that is where the skill lies.

To follow in Beethoven's footsteps transcends one's strength.

We cling nervously to the melody, but we don't handle it freely, we don't really make anything new out of it, we merely overload it.

Ah, that tastes nice. Thank you.

Study Bach. There you will find everything.

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.

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