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

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

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.

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

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

Confidence and courage are special skills to the art ... Within the four walls of his study, the artist should be modest, work diligently and conscientiously. While for the public, he'll show himself audacious, yes even into cheerful boldness. And so a new public's darling has arisen.

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