1. “The only true immortality lies in one’s children.”
2. “It is a real pleasure to see music so bright and spontaneous expressed with corresponding ease and grace.”
3. “To follow in Beethoven’s footstep transcends one’s strength.”
4. “Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.”
5. “The idea comes to me from outside of me – and is like a gift. I then take the idea and make it my own – that is where the skill lies.”
6. “It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.”
7. “If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon.”
8. “A symphony is no joke.”
9. “Those are miracles that no merely human brain can work. The artist is merely the sound conduct of a Force that dictates to him what he should do.”
10. “I sometimes ponder on variation form and it seems to me it ought to be more restrained, purer.”
