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 him converge all previous streams of tendency, not as into a pool, stagnant, passive, motionless, but as a noble river that received its tributary waters and bearss them onward in larger and statelier volume.

I sometimes ponder on variation form and it seems to me it ought to be more restrained, purer.

Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration.

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.

The only true immortality lies in one's children.

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.