Even when I can play Europe's most precious keyboard, to have to listen to people who don't understand, or do not want to understand, and who are incapable of grasping my intent, whatever I play, does surely forfeit my lust for playing at all.

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.

Silence is very important. The silence between the notes are as important as the notes themselves.

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.

Our riches, being in our brains, die with us... Unless of course someone chops off our head, in which case, we won't need them anyway.

Music must never offend the ear, but must please the listener, or, in other words, must never cease to be music.

I am a fool. That is well known.