Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between. Melody is the essence of music. Be silent if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak and speak in such a way that people will remember it. I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings. It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied. A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place. As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that death's image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling. Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music. People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times. When I feel well and in a good humour, or when I am taking a drive or walking after a good meal, or in the night when I cannot sleep, thoughts crowd into my mind as easily as you could wish. The organ is in my eyes and ears the king of all instruments. It is, of course, a money marriage, nothing more. I wouldn't want to enter into this kind of marriage. I wish to make my wife happy and not make my happiness through her. My dear sister! I’m amazed to discover that you can compose so delightfully. In a word, your Lied is beautiful. You must compose more often. Forgive me, Majesty. I am a vulgar man! But I assure you, my music is not. Our riches, being in our brains, die with us... Unless of course someone chops off our head, in which case, we won't need them anyway. Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses; therefore be advised, let well alone and remember the old Italian proverb: Chi sa più, meno sa—Who knows most, knows least. What's even worse than a flute? Two flutes! Stay with me to-night; you must see me die. I have long had the taste of death on my tongue, I smell death, and who will stand by my Constanze, if you do not stay?” To talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but that an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop. Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius. They probably think because I am so small and young, nothing of greatness and class can come out of me; but they shall soon find out. I should like to know for what reason idleness is so popular with many young people that it is impossible to dissuade them from it either by words or by chastisements. Everything here is too far to walk or too muddy; for the dirt in Paris is beyond all description. If one has the talent it pushes for utterance and torments one; it will out; and then one is out with it without questioning. If you would dance, my pretty Count, I'll play the tune on my little guitar.. I beg you most humbly to go on loving me just a little and to make do with these poor congratulations until I get some new drawers made for my small and narrow brainbox in which I can keep the brains that I still intend to acquire. I am not thoughtless but am prepared for anything and as a result can wait patiently for whatever the future holds in store, and I'll be able to endure it.

1756 - 1791