We may be sure that a genius like Mozart, were he born today, would write concertos like Chopin and not like Mozart.

For me Wagner is impossible... he talks without ever stopping. One can't just talk all the time.

You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open, or you've looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.

We have learned to express the more delicate nuances of feeling by penetrating more deeply into the mysteries of harmony.

Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.

Think it a vile habit to alter works of good composers, to omit parts of them, or to insert new-fashioned ornaments. This is the greatest insult you can offer to Art.

"We liked it" or "I didn't like it" people say. As if it were nothing higher than to please the people!