In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of.

You will be most readily cured of vanity or presumption by studying the history of music, and by hearing the master pieces which have been produced at different periods.

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

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

My heart pounds sickeningly and I turn pale... I often feel as if I were dead... I seem to be losing my mind.

Endeavour to play easy pieces well and with elegance; that is better than to play difficult pieces badly.

You should diligently play scales and fingerpractices. There are many, however, who believe they'll achieve all, by practicing daily on technique for hours on end, up till high age. It's like practicing every day to enumerate the alfabet faster and faster. One would think one could make better use of their valuable time.