Home > Author > Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
1 " Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy. "
― Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
2 " There is no doubt that even the greatest musical geniuses have sometimes worked without inspiration. This guest (inspiration) does not always respond to the first invitation. We must always work, and a self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. If we wait for the mood, without endeavouring to meet it half-way, we easily become indolent and apathetic. We must be patient, and believe that inspiration will come to those who can master their disinclination. "
3 " If you do not want to write, at least spit on a piece of paper, put it in an envelope, and send it to me. You are not taking any notice of me at all. God forgive you – all I wanted was a few words from you. "
4 " Truly there would be reason to go mad were it not for music. "
5 " …You see, my dear friend, I am made up of contradictions, and I have reached a very mature age without resting upon anything positive, without having calmed my restless spirit either by religion or philosophy. Undoubtedly I should have gone mad but for music. Music is indeed the most beautiful of all Heaven's gifts to humanity wandering in the darkness. Alone it calms, enlightens, and stills our souls. It is not the straw to which the drowning man clings; but a true friend, refuge, and comforter, for whose sake life is worth living "
6 " To regret the past, to hope in the future, and never to be satisfied with the present: that is what I spend my whole life doing "
7 " I sit down to the piano regularly at nine-o'clock in the morning and Mesdames les Muses have learned to be on time for that rendezvous. "
8 " NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART(based on a poem by J.W. von Goethe)None but the lonely heartCan know my sadnessAlone and partedFar from joy and gladnessHeaven's boundless arch I seeSpread about above meO what a distance dear to oneWho loves meNone but the lonely heartCan know my sadnessAlone and partedFar from joy and gladnessAlone and parted farFrom joy and gladnessMy senses failA burning fireDevours meNone but the lonely heartCan know my sadness "
