Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
- If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon.
- Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.
- 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.
- The only true immortality lies in one’s children.
- Study Bach, there you will find everything.
- I have no time: otherwise I should love to chat on the difficulty of composing and how irresponsible publishers are.
- Straightaway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God.
- How lucky is the man who, like Mozart and others, goes to the tavern of an evening and writes some fresh music. For he lives while he is creating.
- To follow in Beethoven’s footsteps transcends one’s strength.
- 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.
- My things really are written with an appalling lack of practicality!
- Every composer steals — the important thing is to do it brilliantly.
- If we cannot write with the beauty of Mozart, let us at least try to write with his purity.
- It is not hard to compose but it is wonderfully hard to let the superfluous notes fall under the table. So many melodies fly about, one must be careful not to tread on them.
- One should never forget that by actually perfecting one piece, one gains and learns more than by starting or half-finishing a dozen.
- A symphony is no joke.