--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My symphonies would have reached Opus 100…" description: "\"My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but written them down... Sometimes I am so full of music, and so overflowing with melody, that I fin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/robert-schumann-11519_find_my-symphonies-would-have-reached-opus-10_3002117.jpg" --- # My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but… ![“My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but written them down... Sometimes I am so full of music, and so overflowing with melody, that I find it simply impossible to write down anything.” quote by Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/robert-schumann-11519_find_my-symphonies-would-have-reached-opus-10_3002117.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/robert-schumann-11519_find_my-symphonies-would-have-reached-opus-10_3002117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/robert-schumann-11519_find_my-symphonies-would-have-reached-opus-10_3002117.jpg) > “My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but written them down... Sometimes I am so full of music, and so overflowing with melody, that I find it simply impossible to write down anything.” [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative ideas overflow, but the discipline of writing them down is essential for realization. **In simple terms:** Music ideas need to be recorded. Key Takeaway Write down your creative thoughts. Themes creativity discipline music expression Mood determined inspired Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - songwriting - journal keeping - project planning Key Concepts Flow theory creative process Questions to Reflect On - What prevents you from documenting ideas? - How can you balance spontaneity with structure? A Different Perspective Fear of imperfection may block recording. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Melody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melody/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Symphonies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symphonies/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Moving pictures need sound as much as Beethoven symphonies need lyrics,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/moving-pictures-need-sound-as-much-as-beethoven-symphonies-need-lyrics/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [The majority of my symphonies are tombstones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmitri-shostakovich/the-majority-of-my-symphonies-are-tombstones/) [Dmitri Shostakovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmitri-shostakovich/) > [The nearer I approach the end, the plainer I hear around me the immortal symphonies of the worlds which invite me. It is marvelous,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-nearer-i-approach-the-end-the-plainer-i-hear-around-me-the/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Mathematics is an activity governed by the same rules imposed upon the symphonies of Beethoven, the paintings of DaVinci, and the poetry of Homer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kasner/mathematics-is-an-activity-governed-by-the-same-rules-imposed-upon/) [Edward Kasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kasner/) > [We cannot, after all, judge a biography by its length, by the number of pages in it; we must judge by the richness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/we-cannot-after-all-judge-a-biography-by-its-length-by-the-number-of/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Now I'm having the time of my life being on the road with one of the world's all-time great big bands, and performing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doc-severinsen/now-i-m-having-the-time-of-my-life-being-on-the-road-with-one-of-the/) [Doc Severinsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doc-severinsen/) > [I think that of my 21 symphonies, each has its own place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hovhaness/i-think-that-of-my-21-symphonies-each-has-its-own-place/) [Alan Hovhaness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hovhaness/) > [Most Beethoven symphonies require 80 or more instruments, and the late romantics even more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville-marriner/most-beethoven-symphonies-require-80-or-more-instruments-and-the-late/) [Neville Marriner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville-marriner/) > [Although, I am proud of all my Symphonies as they all have something special to say, my particular favourite is the Fifth. As the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-arnold/although-i-am-proud-of-all-my-symphonies-as-they-all-have-something/) Malcolm Arnold > [Symphonies can generate a tremendous amount of sounds, beauty, and emotion. That is part of their human feel and sweetness. Keyboards, on the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/symphonies-can-generate-a-tremendous-amount-of-sounds-beauty-and/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) > [Why is composing symphonies tough? I don't know. It's just very few people in the world can do it well. And I think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-fowler/why-is-composing-symphonies-tough-i-don-t-know-it-s-just-very-few/) [Martin Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-fowler/) > [“Outside Soviet Russia, and following the last symphonies of Mahler, Nielsen and Sibelius, an element of obsolescence has unmistakably attached itself to the genre.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-fairclough/outside-soviet-russia-and-following-the-last-symphonies-of-mahler/) Pauline Fairclough > [I attempt to compose symphonies, although it is clear to me that logically it is pointless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-schnittke/i-attempt-to-compose-symphonies-although-it-is-clear-to-me-that/) [Alfred Schnittke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-schnittke/) > [I love classical music and often listen to symphonies or opera in the morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-mapother/i-love-classical-music-and-often-listen-to-symphonies-or-opera-in-the/) [William Mapother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-mapother/) > [I've written my own music, and I play guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cillian-murphy/i-ve-written-my-own-music-and-i-play-guitar/) [Cillian Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cillian-murphy/) ## More by Robert Schumann > [“By means of industry and perseverance you will rise higher and higher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/by-means-of-industry-and-perseverance-you-will-rise-higher-and-higher/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [When you play, never mind who listens to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/when-you-play-never-mind-who-listens-to-you/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [A fiery, good beginner always stands higher than a master in mediocrity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/a-fiery-good-beginner-always-stands-higher-than-a-master-in-mediocrity/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music induces nightingales to sing, pug dogs to yelp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-induces-nightingales-to-sing-pug-dogs-to-yelp/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [To compose is to remember music that has never been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/to-compose-is-to-remember-music-that-has-never-been-written/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Play always as if in the presence of a master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/play-always-as-if-in-the-presence-of-a-master/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/you-should-neither-play-bad-compositions-nor-unless-compelled-listen/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [If, while at the piano, you attempt to form little melodies, that is very well; but if they come into your mind of themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/if-while-at-the-piano-you-attempt-to-form-little-melodies-that-is/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Art was not created as a way to riches. Strive to become a true artist; all else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/art-was-not-created-as-a-way-to-riches-strive-to-become-a-true-artist/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music - so different from painting - is the art which we enjoy most in company with others. A symphony, presented in a room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-so-different-from-painting-is-the-art-which-we-enjoy-most-in/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Believe me, were I ever to accomplish anything, it would be in music, which has always attracted me; and, without overestimating myself, I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/believe-me-were-i-ever-to-accomplish-anything-it-would-be-in-music/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/we-shouldn-t-repeat-the-same-for-ages-on-end-but-look-into-the-new-as/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [The poet sees better than other mortals. I do not see things as they are, but according to my own subjective impression, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/the-poet-sees-better-than-other-mortals-i-do-not-see-things-as-they/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/without-enthusiasm-nothing-great-can-be-effected-in-art/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [That first concept is alway the most naturally and best. The mind errs, the emotion never.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/that-first-concept-is-alway-the-most-naturally-and-best-the-mind-errs/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) [Explore all 59 Robert Schumann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## More Find quotes > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. 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I find it relaxes me and helps me concentrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guler-sabanci/i-m-very-fond-of-classical-music-especially-mozart-i-find-it-relaxes/) [Guler Sabanci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guler-sabanci/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [Reading counts as partying, even if you're not enjoying it! Even if someone's forcing you to read, you can find a way to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-w-k/reading-counts-as-partying-even-if-you-re-not-enjoying-it-even-if/) [Andrew W.K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-w-k/) > [George Roy Hill, Redford, and I have been looking for a script to do together for 13 years. 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