When you play, never mind who listens to you.
Play always as if in the presence of a master.
Endeavour to play easy pieces well and with elegance; that is better than to play difficult pieces badly.
Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.
If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. Therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.
To send light into the darkness of men's hearts--such is the duty of the artist.
Think it a vile habit to alter works of good composers, to omit parts of them, or to insert new-fashioned ornaments. This is the greatest insult you can offer to Art.
You will be most readily cured of vanity or presumption by studying the history of music, and by hearing the master pieces which have been produced at different periods.
You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.
If all would play first violin, we could not obtain an orchestra. Therefore esteem every musician in his place.
Let your intimate friends be chosen from such as are better informed than yourself.
By means of industry and perseverance you will rise higher and higher.
From a pound of iron, that costs little, a thousand watch-springs can be made, whose value becomes prodigious. The pound you have received from the Lord,--use it faithfully.
Look deeply into life, and study it as diligently as the other arts and sciences.
Talent works, genius creates.
We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.
Music - so different from painting - is the art which we enjoy most in company with others. A symphony, presented in a room with one other listener, would please him but little.
Send light to the dark hearts of men, that is the duty the artist.
Can that which has cost the artist days, weeks, months and even years of reflection be understood in a flash by a dilettante?
The principal mark of genius is not perfection, but originality.
Art was not created as a way to riches. Strive to become a true artist; all else will take care of itself.
For me, music is always the language which permits one to converse with the Beyond.
It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius already on the summit of the ideal, gazes laughingly about.
I was a God-fearing child, innocent and physically attractive.
I sometimes lack confidence in public, although I am proud enough inwardly.
You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open, or you've looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.
People compose for many reasons, to become immortal; because the piano happens to be open; because they want to become a millionaire; because of the praise of friends; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; or for no reason whatsoever.
My whole life has been a struggle between Poetry and Prose, or call it Music and Law.
We may be sure that a genius like Mozart, were he born today, would write concertos like Chopin and not like Mozart.
Music induces nightingales to sing, pug dogs to yelp.
