Robert Schumann Quotes

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

“If all would play first violin, we could not obtain an orchestra. Therefore esteem every musician in his place.”

“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.”

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

“Look deeply into life, and study it as diligently as the other arts and sciences.”

“Play always as if in the presence of a master.”

“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.”

“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.”

“When you play, never mind who listens to you.”

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

“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.”