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

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

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

Perhaps only a Genius can truly understand Genius.

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.

I am so fresh in soul and spirit that life gushes and bubbles around me in a thousand springs.