(Hetzendorf, July 16, 1823, to Ries in London.)
64. “The great pianists have nothing but technique and affectation.”
(Fall of 1817, to Marie Pachler-Koschak, a pianist whom Beethoven
regarded very highly. “You will play the sonatas in F major and C minor,
for me, will you not?”)
65. “As a rule, in the case of these gentlemen, all reason and feeling are generally lost in the nimbleness of their fingers.”
(Reported by Schindler as a remark of Beethoven’s concerning pianoforte
virtuosi.)
66. “Habit may depreciate the most brilliant talents.”
(In 1812 to his pupil, Archduke Rudolph, whom he warns against too
zealous a devotion to music.)
67. “You will have to play a long time yet before you realize that you can not play at all.”
(July, 1808. Reported by Rust as having been said to a young man who
played for Beethoven.)
68. “One must be something if one wishes to put on appearances.”