26 Quotes by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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 endeavoring to meet it halfway, we easily become indirect and apathetic.

I like the plot of The Nutcracker – not at all.

What I need is to believe in myself again – for my faith has been greatly undermined; it seems to me my role is over.

Sometimes I observe with curiosity that uninterrupted activity which, independent of the subject of any conversation I may be carrying on, continues its course in that department of my brain that is devoted to music.

After the last notes of Gotterdammerung I felt as though I had been let out of prison.

Madam, you ask me how I compose. I compose sitting down.

I feel I shall live a long time.

When Brahms is in extra good spirits, he sings, “The grave is my joy”.

If that condition of mind and soul, which we call inspiration, lasted long without intermission, no artist could survive it. The strings would break and the instrument be shattered into fragments.