"Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth." — Ludwig van Beethoven

This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble.

Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually drunken.

Music from my fourth year began to be the first of my youthful occupations. Thus early acquainted with the gracious muse who tuned my soul to pure harmonies, I became fond of her, and, as it often seemed to me, she of me.

Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.