Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Quotes

Even in the works of the greatest master, the organic sequence can fail and then a skillful join must be made.

Mozart is the highest, the culminating point that beauty has attained in the sphere of music.

There is no doubt that even the greatest musical geniuses have sometimes worked without inspiration. This guest (inspiration) does not always respond to the first invitation. We must always work, and a self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. If we wait for the mood, without endeavouring to meet it half-way, we easily become indolent and apathetic. We must be patient, and believe that inspiration will come to those who can master their disinclination.

Handel is only fourth rate. He's not even interesting.

If you do not want to write, at least spit on a piece of paper, put it in an envelope, and send it to me. You are not taking any notice of me at all. God forgive you – all I wanted was a few words from you.

I have put my whole soul into this work [The Pathetique Symphony] ... You cannot imagine what joy I feel at the thought that my days are not yet over and that I may still accomplish much.

The muse doesn't come without being called.

Music is an incomparably more powerful means and is a subtler language for expressing the thousand different moments of the soul's moods.

The creative process is like music which takes root with extraordinary force and rapidity

Music possesses much richer means of expression and it is a more subtle medium for translating the 1000 shifting moments of the feelings of the soul.

Brahms stayed an extra day to hear my [Fifth] Symphony and was very kind ... I like his honesty and open-mindedness. Neither he nor the players liked the finale, which I also think rather horrible.

I sit down to the piano regularly at nine-o'clock in the morning and Mesdames les Muses have learned to be on time for that rendezvous.

We must always work, and a self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. If we wait for the mood, without endeavoring to meet it halfway, we easily become indirect and apathetic.

... You see, my dear friend, I am made up of contradictions, and I have reached a very mature age without resting upon anything positive, without having calmed my restless spirit either by religion or philosophy. Undoubtedly I should have gone mad but for music. Music is indeed the most beautiful of all Heaven's gifts to humanity wandering in the darkness. Alone it calms, enlightens, and stills our souls. It is not the straw to which the drowning man clings; but a true friend, refuge, and comforter, for whose sake life is worth living

Truly there would be reason to go mad were it not for music.

What I need is to believe in myself again - for my faith has been greatly undermined; it seems to me my role is over.

Mozart is the musical Christ.

Only music clarifies, reconciles, and consoles. But it is not a straw just barely clutched at. It is a faithful friend, protector, and comforter, and for its sake alone, life in this world is worth living. Who knows, perhaps in heaven there will be no music. So let us live on the earth while we still have life!

To regret the past, to hope in the future, and never to be satisfied with the present: that is what I spend my whole life doing

A self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood.

Sometimes I observe with curiosity that uninterrupted activity which, independent of the subject of any conversation I may be carrying on, continues its course in that department of my brain that is devoted to music.

I like the plot of The Nutcracker - not at all.