When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly.

It is when I am, as it were, completely myself, entirely alone, and of good cheer.....that ideas flow best and most abundantly. Whence and how they come, I know not, nor can I force them.

I choose such notes that love one another.

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

My fatherland has always the first claim on me.

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

You know that I immerse myself in music, so to speak- that I think about it all day long- that I like experimenting- studying- reflecting.