Hoffman Music is the art of thinking with sounds. I would almost say it is a miracle. In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of. Robert Schumann Never compose anything unless the not composing of it becomes a positive nuisance to you. They are the two wings of the soul.
Real life is needed in opera.
1922-23 Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing. Often these are far more expressive and appealing to the imagination. For this reason one could wish that many modern composers would confine themselves to rests - but perhaps that is too much to ask. The notes I handle no better than most pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides.