“.. but no matter how clever the workmanship, no composition will live unless it is inspired. 5. 7, 8, 6. 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 10. 17, 18, 15. 25, 16. 26, 17. 29, 30 5. 9, 6. 10, 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 15, 10. 16, 15. 25, 16. 26, 27, 17. 28 Composing is a procedure that is not so readily explained. 6. 10, 11, 9. 14, 15, 16. 26, 27 5. 9, 6. 10, 10. 16, 17, 17. 28, 29 5. 6, 7, 10. 18, 19, 17. 30, 31 4. 4, 5, 11. 20, 21, 18. 32, 33 When the inspiration comes, 5. 7, 8, 6. 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 10. 17, 18, 15. 25, 16. 26, 17. 29, 30 it is something of so subtle, tenuous, will-o-the-wisp-like nature that it almost defies definition. 4. 11. 18. When in my most inspired moods, I have definite compelling visions, involving a higher selfhood. 5. 10. 17. I feel at such moments that I am tapping the source of infinite and eternal energy from which you and I and all things proceed. Religion calls it God. 5. 7, 8, 6. 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 10. 17, 18, 15. 25, 16. 26, 17. 29, 30 7. 8. 15. 5. 10. 17. 4. 11. 18. 6. 9. 16. It is of the utmost importance to put the thoughts on paper immediately lest they quickly fade away. Once fixed I often look at them again and this conjures up the same frame of mind that gave birth to them; thus the ideas grow and expand. I am a firm believer in the germination of the idea. 5. 9, 6. 10, 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 15, 10. 16, 15. 25, 16. 26, 27, 17. 28 I realize that the ability to have such ideas register in my consciousness 5. 7, 8, 6. 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 10. 17, 18, 15. 25, 16. 26, 17. 29, 30 is a Divine gift. 5. 9, 6. 10, 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 15, 10. 16, 15. 25, 16. 26, 27, 17. 28 It is a mandate from God, 6. 9. 16. a charge entrusted to my keeping, and I feel that my highest duty is, 7. 12, 8. 13, 15. 25 to make the most of this gift – to grow and expand. 5. 9, 6. 10, 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 15, 10. 16, 15. 25, 16. 26, 27, 17. 28 I was, however, definitely conscious of being aided by a more than earthly Power, and that it was responsive to my determined suggestions. 5. 7, 8, 9, 6. 10, 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 15, 10. 16, 17, 18, 15. 25, 16. 26, 27, 17. 28, 29, 30 A firm believe in this Power 5. 7, 8, 6. 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 10. 17, 18, 15. 25, 16. 26, 17. 29, 30 must precede the ability to draw on it purposefully and intelligently. 5. 9, 6. 10, 11, 7. 12, 8. 13, 9. 14, 15, 10. 16, 15. 25, 16. 26, 27, 17. 28 That much I definitely know.” Richard Strauss

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