music to
"Egmont" and the great Trio in B-flat, op. 97. H. E. K.)

54. "I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, often a very long
time, before I write them down; meanwhile my memory is so faithful that
I am sure never to forget, not even in years, a theme that has once
occurred to me. I change many things, discard, and try again until I
am satisfied. Then, however, there begins in my head the development
in every direction, and, in as much as I know exactly what I want, the
fundamental idea never deserts me,--it arises before me, grows,--I see
and hear the picture in all its extent and dimensions stand before my
mind like a cast, and there remains for me nothing but the labor of
writing it down, which is quickly accomplished when I have the time, for
I sometimes take up other work, but never to the confusion of one with
the other.

"You will 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; early in the morning; incited by moods,
which are translated by the poet into words, by me into tones that
sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes."

(Said to Louis Schlosser, a young musician, whom Beethoven honored with
his friendship in 1822-23.)

55. "On the whole, the carrying out of several voices in strict
relationship mutually hinders their progress."

(Fall of 1812, in the Diary of 1812-18.)

56. "Few as are the claims which I make upon such things I shall still
accept the dedication of your beautiful work with pleasure. You ask,
however, that I also play the part of a critic, without thinking that
I must myself submit to criticism! With Voltaire I believe that 'a few
fly-bites can not stop a spirited horse.' In this respect I beg of you
to follow my example. In order not to approach you surreptitiously, but
openly as always, I say that in future works of the character you might
give more heed to the individualization of the voices."

(Vienna, May 10, 1826. To whom the letter was sent is not known, though
from the manner of address it is plain that he was of the nobility.)

57. "Your variations show talent, but I must fault you for having
changed the theme. Why? What man loves must not be taken away from
him;--moreover to do this is to make changes before variations."