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.

One must not make oneself cheap here - that is a cardinal point - or else one is done. Whoever is most impertinent has the best chance.

I am a fool. That is well known.

Music is my life and my life is music.

If only the whole world could feel the power of harmony.

Directly after God in heaven comes a Papa.

As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence . . .