That first concept is alway the most naturally and best. The mind errs, the emotion never.

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

I was a God-fearing child, innocent and physically attractive.

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.

Nothing right can be accomplished in art without enthusiasm.

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

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.