Madam, you ask me how I compose. I compose sitting down.

Music possesses much richer means of expression and it is a more subtle medium for translating the 1000 shifting moments of the feelings of the soul.

Music is an incomparably more powerful means and is a subtler language for expressing the thousand different moments of the soul's moods.

What I need is to believe in myself again — for my faith has been greatly undermined; it seems to me my role is over.

There is no doubt that even the greatest musical geniuses have sometimes worked without inspiration. This guest (inspiration) does not always respond to the first invitation. We must always work, and a self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. If we wait for the mood, without endeavouring to meet it half-way, we easily become indolent and apathetic. We must be patient, and believe that inspiration will come to those who can master their disinclination.

Handel is only fourth rate. He's not even interesting.

I feel I shall live a long time.