Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart quotes

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian composer and pianist, renowned as one of the most influential figures in classical music. His prolific output includes symphonies, operas, chamber music, and choral works that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. He remains a symbol of musical genius and extraordinary creative talent. Here are 34 of his quotes:

Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

It is a great consolation for me to remember that the Lord, to whom I had drawn near in humble and child-like faith, has suffered and died for me, and that He will look on me in love and compassion.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses; therefore be advised, let well alone and remember the old Italian proverb: Chi sa più, meno sa-Who knows most, knows least.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

I write as a sow pisses.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

I must give you a piece of intelligence that you perhaps already know - namely, that the ungodly arch-villain Voltaire has died miserably like a dog - just like a brute. That is his reward!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak-and speak in such a way that people will remember it.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

My fatherland has always the first claim on me.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

If Germany, my beloved fatherland, of whom you know I am proud, will not accept me, then must I, in the name of God, again make France or England richer by one capable German; - and to the shame of the German nation.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Our riches, being in our brains, die with us... Unless of course someone chops off our head, in which case, we won't need them anyway.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

What's even worse than a flute? - Two flutes!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The golden mean, the truth, is no longer recognized or valued. To win applause one must write stuff so simple that a coachman might sing it, or so incomprehensible that it pleases simply because no sensible man can comprehend it.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

When I am, as it were, completely myself, entirely alone, and of good cheer - say traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep - it is on such occasions that my ideas flow best, and most abundantly. Whence and how they come, I know not, nor can I force them.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

I know myself, and I have such a sense of religion that I shall never do anything which I would not do before the whole world; but I am alarmed at the very thoughts of being in the society of people, during my journey, whose mode of thinking is so entirely different from mine (and from that of all good people). But of course they must do as they please. I have no heart to travel with them, nor could I enjoy one pleasant hour, nor know what to talk about; for, in short, I have no great confidence in them. Friends who have no religion cannot be long our friends.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Forgive me, Majesty. I am a vulgar man! But I assure you, my music is not.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Stay with me to-night; you must see me die. I have long had the taste of death on my tongue, I smell death, and who will stand by my Constanze, if you do not stay?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The most stimulating and encouraging thought is that you, dearest father, and my dear sister, are well, that I am an honest German, and that if I am not always permitted to talk I can think what I please; but that is all.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

She will never learn the most necessary, most difficult and principal thing in music, that is time, because from childhood she has designedly cultivated the habit of ignoring the beat.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart