Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses; therefore be advised, let well alone and remember the old Italian proverb: Chi sa più, meno sa — Who knows most, knows least.

As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that death's image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling.

It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied.

(...) he must have thought: this is a young fellow and a stupid German besides - that's just how all French speak of the Germans - he will be quite content with this - but the stupid German was not content - and didn't accept the money either (...).

"schlafen die kleinen Scheiben des Todes, wie ich verachte sie" which means sleep those tiny slices of death how i despise them

"He fixed his eyes on my fingers while I played to him, then said suddenly, "My God; I work at it till I sweat and yet get no success - while you, my friend, simply play at it!" "Yes," said I, "but I too had to work in order that I might be exempt from work now.

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you mustn’t place your signature too low down on the page and thereby leave a blank space above it, otherwise some rogue – if such a letter were to fall into the wrong hands – might cut out the name and add some small demand for several louis d’or in the blank space above it.