Johannes Brahms Quotes
One should never forget that by actually perfecting one piece one gains and learns more than by starting or half-finishing a dozen.
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.
Reviewer: 'One of your themes was very similar to one of Beethoven's!' Brahms replied, 'Of course it is. Everyone steals - the important thing is to do it brilliantly.
It is a real pleasure to see music so bright and spontaneous expressed with corresponding ease and grace.
It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.
If we cannot write with the beauty of Mozart, let us at least try to write with his purity.
Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration.
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.
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.
The fact that most people do not understand and respect the very best things, such as Mozart's concertos, is what permits men like us to become famous.
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.
Composers in the old days used to keep strictly to the base of the theme, as their real subject. Beethoven varies the melody, harmony and rhythms so beautifully.
We cling nervously to the melody, but we don't handle it freely, we don't really make anything new out of it, we merely overload it.
Never criticize the composition of a Royal Highness. You never know who may have written it.
What would become of all historical biography if it was written only with consideration for other peoples' feelings?
I sometimes ponder on variation form and it seems to me it ought to be more restrained, purer.
