Top 149 Quotes & Sayings by Ludwig van Beethoven

Explore popular quotes and sayings by a German composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
Last updated on September 16, 2024.
Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classical music repertoire and span the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era in classical music. His career has conventionally been divided into early, middle, and late periods. His early period, during which he forged his craft, is typically considered to have lasted until 1802. From 1802 to around 1812, his middle period showed an individual development from the styles of Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and is sometimes characterized as heroic. During this time, he began to grow increasingly deaf. In his late period, from 1812 to 1827, he extended his innovations in musical form and expression.

Often, I can scarcely hear any one speaking to me; the tones yes, but not the actual words; yet as soon as any one shouts, it is unbearable. What will come of all this, heaven only knows!
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
There ought to be an artistic depot where the artist need only hand in his artwork in order to receive what he asks for. As things are, one must be half a business man, and how can one understand - good heavens! - that's what I really call troublesome.
Only the pure in heart can make a good soup. — © Ludwig van Beethoven
Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.
A true artist is expected to be all that is noble-minded, and this is not altogether a mistake; on the other hand, however, in what a mean way are critics allowed to pounce upon us.
Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?
The barriers are not erected which can say to aspiring talents and industry, 'Thus far and no farther.'
Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.
Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth.
Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.
When somewhat at a distance, I cannot hear the high tones of instruments, voices. In speaking, it is not surprising that there are people who have never noticed it, for as a rule I am absent-minded, and they account for it in that way.
Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors.
I joyfully hasten to meet death. If it come before I have had opportunity to develop all my artistic faculties, it will come, my hard fate notwithstanding, too soon, and I should probably wish it later - yet even then I shall be happy, for will it not deliver me from a state of endless suffering?
This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble.
Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience.
The true artist is not proud: he unfortunately sees that art has no limits; he feels darkly how far he is from the goal, and though he may be admired by others, he is sad not to have reached that point to which his better genius only appears as a distant, guiding sun.
Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine. — © Ludwig van Beethoven
Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.
Music comes to me more readily than words.
O, you men who think or say that I am malevolent, stubborn or misanthropic, how greatly do you wrong me. You do not know the secret cause which makes me seem that way to you, and I would have ended my life - it was only my art that held me back. Ah, it seemed impossible to leave the world until I had brought forth all that I felt was within me.
Friends applaud, the comedy is over.
What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven.
Off with you! You're a happy fellow, for you'll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that!
Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.
Music from my fourth year began to be the first of my youthful occupations. Thus early acquainted with the gracious muse who tuned my soul to pure harmonies, I became fond of her, and, as it often seemed to me, she of me.
I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me.
Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.
A great poet is the most precious jewel of a nation.
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.
I only live in my music, and I have scarcely begun one thing when I start on another. As I am now working, I am often engaged on three or four things at the same time.
I must confess that I lead a miserable life. For almost two years, I have ceased to attend any social functions, just because I find it impossible to say to people, 'I am deaf.' If I had any other profession, I might be able to cope with my infirmity; but in my profession, it is a terrible handicap.
Art always demands of us something new.
I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must come out; that is the reason why I compose.
To do good whenever one can, to love liberty above all else, never to deny the truth, even though it be before the throne.
Don't only practise your art, but force your way into its secrets.
I wish you music to help with the burdens of life ,and to help you release your happiness to others.
Art demands of us that we shall not stand still.
Music is indeed the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.
Hide your secret even from the closest friend; learn to be silent.
You ask me where I get my ideas. That I cannot tell you with certainty. They come unsummoned, directly, indirectly - I could seize them with my hands - out in the open air, in the woods, while walking, in the silence of the nights, at dawn, excited by moods which are translated by the poet into words, by me into tones that sound and roar and storm about me till I have set them down in notes.
How glad I am to be able to roam in the wood and thicket, among trees and flowers and rocks ... in the country, every tree seems to speak to me, saying, "Holy! Holy", in the woods, there is enchantment which expresses all things.
An artist is someone who has learned to trust in himself. — © Ludwig van Beethoven
An artist is someone who has learned to trust in himself.
To play without passion is inexcusable!
Music can change the world.
The vibrations on the air are the breath of God speaking to man's soul. Music is the language of God. We musicians are as close to God as man can be. We hear his voice, we read his lips, we give birth to the children of God, who sing his praise. That's what musicians are.
Only art and science can raise men to the level of God.
What will be the judgment a century hence concerning the lorded works of our favorite composers today? Inasmuch as nearly everything is subject to the changes of time, and - more's the pity- the fashions of time, only that which is good and true will endure like a rock and no wanton hand will ever venture to defile it. Then, let every man do that which is right, strive with all his might towards the goal which can never be obtained, develop to the last breath the gifts with which the gracious Creator has endowed him, and never cease to learn. For life is short, art eternal.
In whatsoever manner it be, let me turn to God and become fruitful in good works. Nothing higher exists than to approach God more than other people and from that to extend His glory among humanity.I will place all my confidence in your eternal goodness, O God! My soul shall rejoice in Thee, immutable Being. Be my rock, my light, forever my trust.
Music is like a dream. One that I cannot hear.
We mortals with immortal minds are only born for sufferings and joys, and one could almost say that the most excellent receive joy through sufferings.
I shall hear in heaven.
Life would be flat without music. It is the background to all I do. It speaks to the heart in its own special way like nothing else.
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents. — © Ludwig van Beethoven
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.
Then let us all do what is right, strive with all our might toward the unattainable, develop as fully as we can the gifts God has given us, and never stop learning
The foundation of friendship demands the greatest likeness of human souls and hearts.
Even in poverty I lived like a king for I tell you that nobility is the thing that makes a king
What is to reach the heart must come from above; if it does not come from thence, it will be nothing but notes, body without spirit.
Music is the mediator between the life of the senses and the life of the spirit.
What I have in my heart and soul - must find a way out. That's the reason for music.
I haven't a single friend; I must live alone. But well I know that God is nearer to me than to the others of my art; I associate with Him without fear, I have always recognized and understood Him, and I have no fear for my music,-it can meet no evil fate. Those who understand it must become free from all the miseries that the others drag with them.
Do you think I give a damn about your and your pathetic violin?
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