Ever since I began to compose, I have remained true to my starting principle: not to write a page because no matter what public, or what pretty girl wanted it to be thus or thus; but to write solely as I myself thought best, and as it gave me pleasure.
Meaning of the quote
Mendelssohn, a famous German composer, is explaining that he never wrote music just to please others. Instead, he only wrote music that he truly enjoyed creating, even if it wasn't what the public or a particular person wanted to hear. He stayed true to his own ideas and principles when composing, rather than trying to write something just to make others happy.
About Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn was a renowned German composer, pianist, organist, and conductor of the early Romantic period. He composed a wide range of works, including symphonies, concertos, and the iconic ‘Wedding March’ from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Despite facing some opposition to his more conservative musical tastes, Mendelssohn’s creative genius has been re-evaluated, and he is now considered one of the most popular composers of the Romantic era.
More quotes from Felix Mendelssohn
The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety.
German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of Jewish descent
Ever since I began to compose, I have remained true to my starting principle: not to write a page because no matter what public, or what pretty girl wanted it to be thus or thus; but to write solely as I myself thought best, and as it gave me pleasure.
German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of Jewish descent
These seem to me so ambiguous, so vague, so easily misunderstood in comparison to genuine music, which fills the soul with a thousand things better than words.
German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of Jewish descent
Though everything else may appear shallow and repulsive, even the smallest task in music is so absorbing, and carries us so far away from town, country, earth, and all worldly things, that it is truly a blessed gift of God.
German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of Jewish descent
People often complain that music is too ambiguous, that what they should think when they hear it is so unclear, whereas everyone understands words. With me, it is exactly the opposite, and not only with regard to an entire speech but also with individual words.
German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of Jewish descent