Robert Schumann Quotations

The flame that is naturally clear always gives the most light and heat. If I could blend my talent for poetry and music into one, the light would burn still clearer, and I might go far.

Nothing right can be accomplished in art without enthusiasm.

I feel so entirely in my element with a full orchestra; even if my mortal enemies were marshalled before me, I could lead them, master them, surround them, or repulse them.

You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open, or you've looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.

My indifference to money and my spendthrift ways are disgraceful. You have no idea how reckless I am; how often I practically throw money out of the window. I am always making good resolutions, but the next minute I forget and give the waiter eightpence.

If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.

I am so fresh in soul and spirit that life gushes and bubbles around me in a thousand springs.

Nature best teaches how to pray, and how to reverence all the gifts the Almighty has given us. She is like a vast outspread handkerchief, embroidered with God's eternal name, on which we may dry alike our tears of sorrow and of joy; she turns weeping into ecstasy, and fills our hearts with speechless, quiet reverence and resignation.

My heart pounds sickeningly and I turn pale... I often feel as if I were dead... I seem to be losing my mind.

My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but written them down... Sometimes I am so full of music, and so overflowing with melody, that I find it simply impossible to write down anything.

Thus it is ever in life. The aims we once pursued no longer satisfy us; we aim, we strive, we aspire, until sight fails, and mind and body find rest in the grave.

The poet sees better than other mortals. I do not see things as they are, but according to my own subjective impression, and this makes life easier and simpler.

Mendelssohn I consider the first musician of the day; I doff my hat to him as my superior. He plays with everything, especially with the grouping of the instruments in the orchestra, but with such ease, delicacy and art, with such mastery throughout.

I was a God-fearing child, innocent and physically attractive.

An evil fate has deprived me of the full use of my right hand, so that I am not able to play my compositions as I feel them. The trouble with my hand is that certain fingers have become so weak, probably through writing and playing too much at one time, that I can hardly use them.

Believe me, were I ever to accomplish anything, it would be in music, which has always attracted me; and, without overestimating myself, I am conscious of possessing a certain creative faculty.

I sometimes lack confidence in public, although I am proud enough inwardly.

He must be heard - and also seen; for if he played behind the scenes a great deal of the poetry of his playing would be lost

To compose music, all you have to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of

The painter turns a poem into a painting; the musician sets a picture to music.

It is music's lofty mission to shed light on the depths of the human heart

The study of the history of music and the hearing of masterworks of different epochs will quickly cure you of vanity and self-adoration

People compose for many reasons: to become immortal; because the pianoforte happens to be open; because they want to become a millionaire; because of the praise of friends; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; for no reason whatsoever.

We may be sure that a genius like Mozart, were he born today, would write concertos like Chopin and not like Mozart.

We have learned to express the more delicate nuances of feeling by penetrating more deeply into the mysteries of harmony.

Music induces nightingales to sing, pug dogs to yelp.

Only when the form grows clear to you, will the spirit become so too.

That first concept is alway the most naturally and best. The mind errs, the emotion never.

When young, one learns his craftsmanship, may become a young master, and it is youth that is most auspicious for developing certain skills.

Confidence and courage are special skills to the art ... Within the four walls of his study, the artist should be modest, work diligently and conscientiously. While for the public, he'll show himself audacious, yes even into cheerful boldness. And so a new public's darling has arisen.

You should diligently play scales and fingerpractices. There are many, however, who believe they'll achieve all, by practicing daily on technique for hours on end, up till high age. It's like practicing every day to enumerate the alfabet faster and faster. One would think one could make better use of their valuable time.

Does it not seem as if Mozart's works become fresher and fresher the oftener we hear them?

People compose for many reasons, to become immortal; because the piano happens to be open; because they want to become a millionaire; because of the praise of friends; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; or for no reason whatsoever.

My whole life has been a struggle between Poetry and Prose, or call it Music and Law.

It was an unforgettable picture to see Chopin sitting at the piano like a clairvoyant, lost in his dreams; to see how his vision communicated itself through his playing, and how, at the end of each piece, he had the sad habit of running one finger over the length of the plaintive keyboard, as though to tear himself forcibly away from his dream.

You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.

To compose is to remember music that has never been written.

It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius already on the summit of the ideal, gazes laughingly about.

Music - so different from painting - is the art which we enjoy most in company with others. A symphony, presented in a room with one other listener, would please him but little.

The principal mark of genius is not perfection, but originality.

Music owes as much to Bach as religion to its founder.

Think it a vile habit to alter works of good composers, to omit parts of them, or to insert new-fashioned ornaments. This is the greatest insult you can offer to Art.

The aesthetic principle is the same in every art, only the material differs.

You will be most readily cured of vanity or presumption by studying the history of music, and by hearing the master pieces which have been produced at different periods.

We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.

In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of.

Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.

From a pound of iron, that costs little, a thousand watch-springs can be made, whose value becomes prodigious. The pound you have received from the Lord,--use it faithfully.

Endeavour to play easy pieces well and with elegance; that is better than to play difficult pieces badly.

When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is listening. Yet always play as though a master listened to you.

If, while at the piano, you attempt to form little melodies, that is very well; but if they come into your mind of themselves, when you are not practising, you may be still more pleased; for the internal organ of music is then roused in you. The fingers must do what the head desires; not the contrary.

For me Wagner is impossible... he talks without ever stopping. One can't just talk all the time.

Can that which has cost the artist days, weeks, months and even years of reflection be understood in a flash by a dilettante?

Send light to the dark hearts of men, that is the duty the artist.

Remember, there are more people in the world than yourself. Be modest! You have not yet invented nor thought anything which others have not thought or invented before. And should you really have done so, consider it a gift of heaven which you are to share with others.

"We liked it" or "I didn't like it" people say. As if it were nothing higher than to please the people!

Art was not created as a way to riches. Strive to become a true artist; all else will take care of itself.

A fiery, good beginner always stands higher than a master in mediocrity...

Play always as if in the presence of a master.

Perhaps only a Genius can truly understand Genius.

For me, music is always the language which permits one to converse with the Beyond.

When you play, never mind who listens to you.

Let your intimate friends be chosen from such as are better informed than yourself.

Talent works, genius creates.