"Finally he conducted, from the clavier, one of his own symphonies. Mozart was fourteen years old at the time. A few years later he was to be instrumental in launching the piano on its decisive career. He was the first of the great pianists" (pg. 37.)

"Mozart would never have changed the harmonic or melodic sense, and he would have played the notes as they were set down. Then he would have amplified on them 'with the appropriate expression and taste,' to quote from the letter once more. No less was expected of any eighteenth-century virtuoso" (pg. 47.)

"Ries, Beethoven's pupil, quotes his master as saying that Cramer was the only pianist of his time. 'All the rest count for nothing.' Strong words indeed from the choosy Beethoven. Cramer and Beethoven had met once in competition, and the consensus was that while Beethoven had more power and energy...