“To Beethoven music was not only a manifestation of the beautiful, an art, it was akin to religion. He felt himself to be a prophet, a seer. All the misanthropy engendered by his unhappy relations with mankind, could not shake his devotion to this ideal which had sprung in to Beethoven from truest artistic apprehension and been nurtured by enforced introspection and philosophic reflection.”
(“Music and Manners,” page 237. H. E. K.)
1. “‘Tis said, that art is long, and life but fleeting:—Nay; life is long, and brief the span of art; If e’re her breath vouchsafes with gods a meeting, A moment’s favor ‘tis of which we’ve had a part.”
(Conversation-book, March, 1820. Probably a quotation.)
2. “The world is a king, and, like a king, desires flattery in return for favor; but true art is selfish and perverse—it will not submit to the mould of flattery.”
(Conversation-book, March, 1820. When Baron van Braun expressed the
opinion that the opera “Fidelio” would eventually win the enthusiasm of
the upper tiers, Beethoven said, “I do not write for the galleries!” He
never permitted himself to be persuaded to make concessions to the taste
of the masses.)
3. “Continue to translate yourself to the heaven of art; there is no more undisturbed, unmixed, purer happiness than may thus be attained.”
(August 19, 1817, to Xavier Schnyder, who vainly sought instruction from
Beethoven in 1811, though he was pleasantly received.)
4. “Go on; do not practice art alone but penetrate to her heart; she deserves it, for art and science only can raise man to godhood.”
(Teplitz, July 17, 1812, to his ten years’ old admirer, Emilie M. in H.)