A symphony is no joke.
To follow in Beethoven's footsteps transcends one's strength.
Straightaway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God.
Those who enjoy their own emotionally bad health and who habitually fill their own minds with the rank poisons of suspicion, jealousy and hatred, as a rule take umbrage at those who refuse to do likewise, and they find a perverted relief in trying to denigrate them.
Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.
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.