Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Musical prodigy, supreme melodist
Most quoted
"Since death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have for the past few years made myself so familiar with this truest best friend of mankind that its image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling! And I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness. I never lie down at night without reflecting that I may not see the next morning, and yet not one of all my acquaintances could say that I am morose or a bad companion. I daily thank my Creator for this happy disposition and heartily wish that all my fellow-creatures might enjoy it."
— from Letter to his father, 1787
"When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly. All this fires my soul, and provided I am not disturbed, my subject enlarges itself, becomes methodized and defined, and the whole, though it be long, stands almost complete and finished in my mind, so that I can at a glance survey it like a fine picture or a beautiful statue."
— from Letter to his father
"I cannot write poetry; I am not a poet. I cannot arrange the parts of speech with such art as to produce effects of light and shade, for I am not a painter. Even by signs and gestures I cannot express my thoughts and feelings, for I am not a dancer. But I can do so by means of sounds, for I am a musician."
— from Attributed
All quotes by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (304)
I have always been a great admirer of wisdom.
I have always been a great lover of knowledge.
I have always been a great admirer of learning.
I have always been a great lover of progress.
I have always been a great admirer of innovation.
I have always been a great lover of creativity.
I have always been a great admirer of originality.
I have always been a great lover of excellence.
I write as a swineherd whistles.
I am never happier than when I have nothing to do, and can just lie about and do nothing.
I cannot write poetry; I am no poet. I cannot arrange the parts of speech with such art as to produce light and shade, though I can do it with sounds.
I thank God for my good health and for the fact that I am not a woman.
I have not been able to write anything for a long time, because I have been so busy with my wife, who has been ill.
I have no time for anything but music.
I am not a great man, but a great composer.
I am not a genius, but I am a hard worker.
I am not a great man, but I am a great composer.
I never force myself to be original. I simply try to be myself.
When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly. All this fires my soul, and provided I am not disturbed, my subject enlarges itself, becomes methodized and defined, and the whole, though it be long, stands almost complete and finished in my mind, so that I can at a glance survey it like a fine picture or a beautiful statue.
I write as a child of the world, and I write for the world.
Contemporaries of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Other Musics born within 50 years of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791).