Write to me and don't be so lazy. Otherwise I shall have to give you a thrashing. What fun! I'll break your head.

I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.

To my eyes and ears the organ will ever be the King of Instruments.

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.

My fatherland has always the first claim on me.

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

Believe me, my sole purpose is to make as much money as possible; for after good health it is the best thing to have.