How lucky is the man who, like Mozart and others, goes to the tavern of an evening and writes some fresh music. For he lives while he is creating.

A symphony is no joke.

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.

The only true immortality lies in one's children.

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.

What would become of all historical biography if it was written only with consideration for other peoples' feelings?

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.