Franz Schubert

Music Austrian 1797 – 1828 370 quotes

Master of the art song (Lied)

Most quoted

"I am the unhappiest, most wretched man in the world. Imagine a man whose health will never be right again, and who in sheer despair over this, always makes things worse instead of better; imagine a man, I say, whose most brilliant hopes have come to naught, to whom the happiness of love and friendship offers nothing but the bitterest pain, and whose enthusiasm for the beautiful (at least inspiring) threatens to vanish; and ask yourself, is he not a wretched, unhappy man?"

— from Letter to Leopold Kupelwieser, 1824

"Oh, imagination! Thou greatest treasure of man, thou inexhaustible fount of all art and science! How many friends have I gained through thee, how many enemies hast thou made for me!"

— from Diary entry, 1816

"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."

— from Letter, 1826

All quotes by Franz Schubert (370)

I am a humble servant of music, a devoted disciple.

Conversation with Josef von Spaun

My music is a reflection of my soul, my heart, my being.

Letter to Josef von Spaun

I am a child of nature, a lover of beauty, a worshiper of art.

Diary entry

I am a seeker of truth, a pursuer of beauty, a devotee of art.

Conversation with Josef von Spaun

My music is a language of the soul, a voice of the heart.

Letter to Josef von Spaun

I am a simple man, a humble artist, a sincere musician.

Diary entry

I am a composer, and I must create.

Conversation with Josef von Spaun

My music is a gift from God, a blessing from heaven.

Letter to Josef von Spaun

I am a lover of life, a celebrator of joy, a mourner of sorrow.

Diary entry

I am a poet, a painter, a sculptor of sound.

Conversation with Josef von Spaun

My music is a journey of discovery, a voyage of exploration.

Letter to Josef von Spaun

I am a pilgrim, a wanderer, a seeker of truth.

Diary entry

I am a musician, and I must express myself.

Conversation with Josef von Spaun

My music is a testament to my existence, a legacy of my life.

Letter to Josef von Spaun

I am a child of the muses, a favorite of the gods.

Diary entry

I am a composer, and I must share my gift with the world.

Conversation with Josef von Spaun

My music is a bridge between heaven and earth, a link between man and God.

Letter to Josef von Spaun

I am a dreamer of dreams, a weaver of spells, a conjurer of magic.

Diary entry

I am a musician, and I must inspire.

Conversation with Josef von Spaun

My music is a source of joy, a fount of happiness, a wellspring of hope.

Letter to Josef von Spaun