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.

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

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.

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.

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.

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

The fact that most people do not understand and respect the very best things, such as Mozart's concertos, is what permits men like us to become famous.