Amadeus Quotes

The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.

Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.

I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.

When I am ..... completely myself, entirely alone... or during the night when I cannot sleep, it is on such occasions that my ideas flow best and most abundantly. Whence and how these ideas come I know not nor can I force them.

To talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but that an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop.

Stay with me to-night; you must see me die. I have long had the taste of death on my tongue, I smell death, and who will stand by my Constanze, if you do not stay?

A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place.

What's even worse than a flute? - Two flutes!

It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied.

All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will remember it.

Our riches, being in our brains, die with us... Unless of course someone chops off our head, in which case, we won't need them anyway.

Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses; therefore be advised, let well alone and remember the old Italian proverb: Chi sa più, meno sa—Who knows most, knows least.

Look at me!’ I screeched. ‘Look at me, Amadeus von Linden, you sadistic hypocrite, and watch this time! You’re not questioning me now, this isn’t your work, I’m not an enemy agent spewing wireless code! I’m just a minging Scots slag screaming insults at your daughter! So enjoy yourself and watch! Think of Isolde! Think of Isolde and watch!

As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that death's image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling.

One day the last portrait of Rembrandt and the last bar of Mozart will have ceased to be — though possibly a colored canvas and a sheet of notes will remain — because the last eye and the last ear accessible to their message will have gone.

Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.

My dear sister! I’m amazed to discover that you can compose so delightfully. In a word, your Lied is beautiful. You must compose more often.

People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times.

I looked on astounded as from his ordinary life he made his art. We were both ordinary men, he and I. Yet from the ordinary he created Legends--and I from Legends created only the ordinary!

When I feel well and in a good humour, or when I am taking a drive or walking after a good meal, or in the night when I cannot sleep, thoughts crowd into my mind as easily as you could wish.

Goodness is nothing in the furnace of art.

I am not thoughtless but am prepared for anything and as a result can wait patiently for whatever the future holds in store, and I'll be able to endure it.

What use, after all, is man, if not to teach God His lessons?

They probably think because I am so small and young, nothing of greatness and class can come out of me; but they shall soon find out.

You know that I immerse myself in music, so to speak— that I think about it all day long— that I like experimenting— studying— reflecting.

God was singing through this little man to all the world.

It is, of course, a money marriage, nothing more. I wouldn't want to enter into this kind of marriage. I wish to make my wife happy and not make my happiness through her.

If one has the talent it pushes for utterance and torments one; it will out; and then one is out with it without questioning.

Leck mich im Arsch! Laßt uns froh sein! Murren ist vergebens! Knurren, Brummen ist vergebens, ist das wahre Kreuz des Lebens, das Brummen ist vergebens, Knurren, Brummen ist vergebens, vergebens! Drum laßt uns froh und fröhlich, froh sein!

I should like to know for what reason idleness is so popular with many young people that it is impossible to dissuade them from it either by words or by chastisements.

If you would dance, my pretty Count, I'll play the tune on my little guitar..

Tell me, before you call us servants, who served whom? And who, I wonder, in your generations, will immortalize you?

I was eighteen now, just gone. Eighteen was not a young age. At eighteen old Wolfgang Amadeus had written concertos and symphonies and operas and oratorios and all that cal, no, not cal, heavenly music. And then there was old Felix M. with his "Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture. And there were others. And there was this like French poet set by old Benjy Britt, who had done all his best poetry by the age of fifteen, O my brothers. Arthur, his first name. Eighteen was not all that young an age then. But what was I going to do?

schlafen die kleinen Scheiben des Todes, wie ich verachte sie" which means sleep those tiny slices of death how i despise them

The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with those people--and that music does not have a better reputation...For I assure you, without travel, at least for people from the arts and sciences, one is a miserable creature!...A man of mediocre talents always remains mediocre, may he travel or not--but a man of superior talents, which I cannot deny myself to have without being blasphemous, becomes--bad, if he always stays in the same place. If the archbishop would trust me, I would soon make his music famous; that is surely true.

Music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.

You would absolve your Gods of guilt?” Tariq said, sounding surprised. “You would absolve humanity of responsibility?” Amadeus asked, scornful. “The deferral of consequence to higher power is the deepest form of moral cowardice conceivable. Even your precious Book agrees, Pilgrim – we have a choice.

I beg you most humbly to go on loving me just a little and to make do with these poor congratulations until I get some new drawers made for my small and narrow brainbox in which I can keep the brains that I still intend to acquire.

Je ne vais jamais au lit sans réfléchir que le lendemain peut-être (si jeune que je sois) je ne serai plus là...; et pourtant personne, de tous ceux qui me connaissent, ne peut dire que je sois chagrin ou triste dans ma conversation...

What annoys me most is that these stupid Frenchmen think I am still just seven years old - because that was my age when they first saw me - (...) they treat me here like a beginner - except the musicians; they know better.

Oh, you monster!No one exists but you, do they? You and your music!

(...) you know that I am, as it were, completely immersed in Musique - it is on my mind all day long - I love to plan - study - reflect on it (...).

You humans are crazy.

(...) the French are such assess, they are truly inept, for they have to go abroad for help.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” ― Plato

If people could see into my heart, I should almost feel ashamed - all there is cold, cold as ice.

The organ is in my eyes and ears the king of all instruments.

(...) he must have thought: this is a young fellow and a stupid German besides - that's just how all French speak of the Germans - he will be quite content with this - but the stupid German was not content - and didn't accept the money either (...).

Some fellow built a house here and wrote on it: When I built my house I was very glad, when I knew its cost I got very sad. (During the night somebody scribbled right under it:) Building a house takes a lot of loot, and you should have known it, you nincompoop.

you mustn’t place your signature too low down on the page and thereby leave a blank space above it, otherwise some rogue – if such a letter were to fall into the wrong hands – might cut out the name and add some small demand for several louis d’or in the blank space above it.

The human voice vibrates naturally - but in such a way - to such a degree that it all sounds beautiful - it is the nature of the voice. We imitate such effects not only on wind instruments, but also with violins - even on clavier - but as soon as you go beyond the natural limits, it no longer sounds beautiful - because it is contrary to nature.

Emperor Joseph II: My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect. Mozart: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?

Everyone is a psychoanalyst, it would seem, and they try to dig beneath words. I say what I mean. There is no subtext. I

I had the honour of kissing St. Peter's foot at Sanct Pietro, and because I have the misfortune of being so small I, the same old numbskull, Wolfgang Mozart, had to be lifted up.

Truly civilised people, people with ‘inner culture’, cannot do something that is wrong. Even if you force them to, so to speak, they cannot!

I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity . . . of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness

If a passage occurs twice it is played slower the second time; if three times, still slower.

[W]ithout travelling one remains a poor creature; that goes especially for people in the arts and sciences! [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]

Beethoven Amadeus Bannister, I’m trying to ask you to marry me,” he shouts. “Jesus, is that your real name? No wonder you prefer Bee,” I say, but everyone ignores me.

Amadeus reached up with both hands, holding her face so that his fingers rested on the back of her neck.

Amadeus turned, and placed the necklace around Lady’s throat.

Wolfgang Amadé Mozart takes pity on Leutgeb, ass, ox, and simpleton, at Vienna, March 27, 1783.

Journey to the Interior of the Earth Original title: Voyage au Centre de la Terre (1865) Series: Voyages Extraordinaires #3 Translation: Frederic Amadeus Malleson (1819-1897)

Exactly, my dear sir, as the radio for ten minutes together projects the most lovely music without regard into the most impossible places, into respectable drawing rooms and attics and into the midst of chattering, guzzling, yawning and sleeping listeners, and exactly as it strips this music of its sensuous beauty, spoils and scratches and slimes it and yet cannot altogether destroy its spirit, just so does life, the so-called reality, deal with the sublime picture-play of the world and make a hurley-burley of it. It makes its unappetizing tone-slime of the most magic orchestral music. Everywhere it obtrudes its mechanism, its activity, its dreary exigencies and vanity between the ideal and the real, between orchestra and ear. All life is so, my child, and we must let it be so: and, if we are not asses, laugh at it. It little becomes people like you to be critics of radio or of life either. Better learn to listen first! Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.

What else is genius than that productive power through which deeds arise, worthy of standing in the presence of God and Nature, and which, for this reason, bear results and are lasting? All the creations of Mozart are of this class; within them there is a generative force which is transplanted from generation to generation, and is not likely soon to be exhausted or devoured." CHIPS

there are no miracles and supernatural things; there are no things that break the laws of nature. All these things that we call supernatural are nothing but laws that are inaccessible to human cognition, logic and way of thinking.

Arkham Asylum, founded by Dr. Amadeus Arkham in the early nineteen hundreds, was named after Elizabeth Arkham, Amadeus’ mother. Elizabeth had long suffered from mental illness and eventually committed suicide, although legend had it that Amadeus had actually euthanized her. Whatever

He was always careful with his words, cautious not to let slip things that went beyond rationality and scientific, cognitive thinking. He strongly believed, all the same, in a spiritual element of an undefined nature in man, which eludes the law of biological decay, surpassing the barriers of time and space.

Two could live as cheaply as one

What shall I say to you who will one day hear this last act for yourselves? You will—because whatever else shall pass away, this must remain.

I was absolutely determined to leave. They wouldn’t let me. They wanted me to give a concert; I wanted them to beg me. And so they did. I gave a concert.

Yes, but I wasn't running around asking other people how to do it.

A mystery. Love strikes where it will, not where you will it.

It has always been thus, that the mundane masks the magnificent in us.

We can be very cruel to one another, even when we’re old enough to know better, when we’ve outgrown the intense selfishness of youth. She

Don Giovanni, you invited me to sup with you: I have come.

The thing is I have an inexpressible desire to write an opera again; it would make me so happy because it gives me something to compose which is my real joy and passion (...).

Everything here is too far to walk - or too muddy; for the dirt in Paris is beyond all description.

I am afraid I have never exist.

The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.” ― Plato     “According

We are what we repeatedly do. Greatness then, is not an act, but a habit”  ― Aristotle     “...happiness

Once a fighter always a fighter. The fire may grow weaker with time, but it never truly dies. Is this not true?

Our arses should be signs of peace!

Then we forced him to confess to his crimes as I dined on his lover and personal secretary in front of him.

I bet you that's how God hears the world! Millions of sounds ascending at once and mixing in His ear to become an unending music, unimaginable to us!

The light that comes from the mind is like the light from the moon.....reflected light with no warmth...but the light from the heart is like solar light..... warming and life-giving.

It’s WA today, Minna,” called Orson from across the room, Orson’s name for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Orson played second violin with a sloppy serenity, rolling his eyes and sticking out his tongue, his bowing long and sweeping and beautiful even when out of tune. “If you must make a mistake,” he had quoted, “make it a big one.” Was it Heifetz who had said it? Perlman? Zukerman maybe?

A goodly number of high nobility was present: the Duchess Kickass, the Countess Pisshappy, also the Princess Smellshit with her two daughters, who are married to the two Princes of Mustbelly von Pigtail.

I have been listening to the cats in the courtyard. They are all singing Rossini. It is obvious that cats have declined as badly as composers. Domenico Scarlatti owned one which would actually stroll across the keyboard and pick out passable subjects for fugue. But that was a Spanish cat of the Enlightenment. It appreciated counterpoint. Nowadays all cats appreciate are coloratura. Like the rest of the Public.

(...) he must have thought: this is a young fellow and a stupid German besides - that's just how all French speak of the Germans - he will be guite content with this - but the stupid German was not content (...).

I ask you most humbly to continue loving me a little, and to be content for the moment with this token of a congratulation until new drawers can be made for my small little brain box, so I have a place to put the brain that I still hope to acquire.

Anybody can become angry — that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way — that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.”  ― Aristotle     “Excellence

He fixed his eyes on my fingers while I played to him, then said suddenly, "My God; I work at it till I sweat and yet get no success - while you, my friend, simply play at it!" "Yes," said I, "but I too had to work in order that I might be exempt from work now.

I was eighteen now, just gone. Eighteen was not a young age. At eighteen old Wolfgang Amadeus had written concertos and symphonies and operas and oratorios and all that cal, no, not cal, heavenly music. And then there was old Felix M. with his Midsummer Night's Dream Overture. And then there were others. And there was this like French poet set by old Benjy Britt, who had done all his best poetry by the age of fifteen, O my brothers. Arthur, his first name. Eighteen was not all that young an age, then. But what was I going to do?

...To see your life flow in obscurity among the treasures of the heart and of nature, happy in your anonymity, and to occasionally lose yourself in reading or in the pleasure of being a sensitive admirer of the fine arts; that’s the image of modern life you’re looking for!

Choreographer Twyla Tharp, who directed the opera and dance scenes for the film Amadeus, has this to say about the film’s portrait of Mozart: There are no ‘natural’ geniuses… No-one worked harder than Mozart. By the time he was twenty-eight years old, his hands were deformed because of all the hours he had spent practicing, performing, and gripping a quill pen to compose… As Mozart himself wrote to a friend, “People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to composition as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times.

It is us, he says, who pass by, not time. We, the human creatures with the short-lived biological destiny, come and go. The dimension of depth eludes us. Our antennas have a very limited capacity. They only form subjective impressions that are totally irrelevant to the true and objective “Great Reality”, the Samith as he called it.

It makes a world of difference to know that God loved you enough to send His only begotten Son to suffer and die for you. Suddenly our lives and sufferings aren't meanigless accident, but part of God's loving plan for us. And our acceptance of that plan becomes our own loving response. It is the difference between being in love and living a dreary existence!

For me, there's nothing better than when I become the funnel, and have that out of body experience where I'm not the one writing anymore. At that point, it's all about bladder control. Sitting back and watching scenes, characters, and dialogue appear out of nowhere, and fear of breaking the spell makes you hold in your pee for six or eight hours is the best thing about being a writer.

In one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies, Amadeus, Salieri looks with wide-eyed astonishment at a manuscript of Mozart's and says, "Displace one note and there would be diminishment. Displace one phrase and the structure would fall." In this, Salieri captured the essence of perfection. His two sentences define precisely what we mean by perfection in many contexts, including theoretical physics. You might say it's a perfect definition. A theory begins to be perfect if any change makes it worse. That's Salieri's first sentence, translated from music to physics. And it's right on point. But the real genius comes with Salieri's second sentence. A theory becomes perfectly perfect if it's impossible to change it significantly without ruining it entirely-that is, if changing the theory significantly reduces it to nonsense.