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.

The only true immortality lies in one's children.

If we cannot write with the beauty of Mozart, let us at least try to write with his purity.

Those are miracles that no merely human brain can work. The artist is merely the sound conduct of a Force that dictates to him what he should do.

If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon.

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.

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