Handel understands effect better than any of us -- when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.

The most necessary, most difficult and principal thing in music, that is time.

To every good friend I send my greet feet; addio nitwit. Love true true true until the grave, if I live that long and do behave.

If people could see into my heart, I should almost feel ashamed - all there is cold, cold as ice.

Whoever is most impertinent has the best chance.

True perfection in all things is no longer known or prized - you must write music that is either so simple a coachman could sing it, or so unintelligble that audiences like it simply because no sane person could understand it.

Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpoints to hack post-horses.