Music, in even the most terrible situations, must never offend the ear but always remain a source of pleasure.

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.

A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent (which I cannot deny myself to be without being impious) will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place.

People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times.

Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.

Creativity is the firing of my soul.