You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.

People compose for many reasons, to become immortal; because the piano happens to be open; because they want to become a millionaire; because of the praise of friends; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; or for no reason whatsoever.

Music owes as much to Bach as religion to its founder.

My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so, Music and Law.

Nature best teaches how to pray, and how to reverence all the gifts the Almighty has given us. She is like a vast outspread handkerchief, embroidered with God's eternal name, on which we may dry alike our tears of sorrow and of joy; she turns weeping into ecstasy, and fills our hearts with speechless, quiet reverence and resignation.

From a pound of iron, that costs little, a thousand watch-springs can be made, whose value becomes prodigious. The pound you have received from the Lord,--use it faithfully.

If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.