Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky quotes

Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy. (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
What I need is to believe in myself again - for my faith has been greatly undermined; it seems to me my role is over. View quote
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
After the last notes of Gotterdammerung I felt as though I had been let out of prison. View quote
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Just as I was starting on my journey the idea came to me for a new symphony, this time with a program, but a program which will remain an enigma to all- let them guess it who can. It will be called "A Programmatic Symphony" (No. 6). During my trip, while composing in my mind, I frequently shed tears. When I got home I settled down to sketch it, and the work went so furiously that I had the first movement completely ready in less than four days and the remaining movements are already clearly outlined in my head. Half the third movement is already done. There will be much innovation of form in this symphony- and incidentally, the finale will not be a noisy allegro but, on the contrary, a long drawn-out adagio. You can't imagine what bliss I feel, being convinced that my time is not yet passed and I can still work. Perhaps, of course, I'm mistaken, but I don't think so. View quote
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
I played over the music of that scoundrel Brahms. What a giftless bastard! It annoys me that this self-inflated mediocrity is hailed as a genius. View quote
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
I am a Russian, Russian, Russian, to the marrow of my bones. View quote
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Fate... hangs over our heads like the sword of Damocles and inexorably distills a slow and deadly venom. One must bend to it and abandon oneself to boundless despair... View quote
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky