When I open my eyes I must sigh, for what I see is contrary to my religion, and I must despise the world which does not know that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.

Life would be flat without music. It is the background to all I do. It speaks to the heart in its own special way like nothing else.

Fate gave to man the courage of endurance.

What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven.

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

The barriers are not erected which can say to aspiring talents and industry, 'Thus far and no farther.'

What is to reach the heart must come from above; if it does not come from thence, it will be nothing but notes, body without spirit.