"The descriptions of a picture belong to painting; even the poet in this matter may, in comparison with my art, esteem himself lucky, for his domain in this respect is not so limited as mine, yet the latter extends further into other regions, and to attain to our kingdom is not easy."
(To Wilhelm Gerhardi in Leipzig from Nussdorf, July, 1817.)
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"Liberty and progress are the goals of art just as of life in general. If we are not as solid as the old masters, the refinement of civilization has at least enlarged our outlook."
(To Archduke Rudolph.)
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"I am not in the habit of altering my compositions when they are once finished. I have never done this, for I hold firmly that the slightest change alters the character of the composition."
(To George Thomson, publisher, Edinburgh.)
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"Pure Church music ought to be performed entirely by the voices only, except for the Gloria or words of that kind. That is why I prefer Palestrina; but it would be absurd to imitate him
