In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a small space by a small audience.
I beg of you... never assume an inner or an outer pose, never a disguise.
Tradition is the spreading of fire and not the veneration of ashes.
Tradition is laziness.
Beauty and fullness of tone can be achieved by having the whole orchestra play with high clarinets and a carefully selected number of piccolos.
What I wanted and what I visualized while composing has not always been realized.
Don't bother to look, I've composed all this already.
I also had a brother who was like me a musician and a composer. A man of great talent, far more gifted than I. He died very young... he killed himself in the prime of his life.
With the coming of spring, I am calm again.
An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.
If I weren't the way I am, I shouldn't write my symphonies.
The spirit can assert itself only through the medium of clear form.
The further the music develops, the more complex the apparatus used by the composer to express his thoughts becomes.
I hope you will no longer accuse me of a lack of delicacy. as I now count on your understanding.
Even if people censure me, they should do so hat in hand.
