Ludwig van Beethoven

Music from my fourth year began to be the first of my youthful occupations. Thus early acquainted with the gracious muse who tuned my soul to pure harmonies, I became fond of her, and, as it often seemed to me, she of me.

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.

Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth.

Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually drunken.

Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.

Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.