Music embodies feeling without forcing it to contend and combine with thought, as it is forced in most arts and especially in the art of words.
Brahms' Variations are better than mine, but mine were written before his.
I foster a sorrowful conception of affection. Make no sacrifices.
Sorrowful and great is the artist's destiny.
Mournful and yet grand is the destiny of the artist.
The character of instrumental music... lets the emotions radiate and shine in their own character without presuming to display them as real or imaginary representations.
