Play always as if in the presence of a master.

The poet sees better than other mortals. I do not see things as they are, but according to my own subjective impression, and this makes life easier and simpler.

An evil fate has deprived me of the full use of my right hand, so that I am not able to play my compositions as I feel them. The trouble with my hand is that certain fingers have become so weak, probably through writing and playing too much at one time, that I can hardly use them.

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

It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius already on the summit of the ideal, gazes laughingly about.

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

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