In a letter to a Baron B — who had enquired about how he set about writing, and how it was that his work was so distinctive, Mozart wrote (the text may have been embellished: see note): How do I write, and how do I come to flesh out what are large, general ideas? I really can’t tell you any more than this – because I myself don’t know any more about it, and can’t get any further with it. It’s when I’m feeling right and things are good, perhaps riding in a coach or taking a walk after a good meal, or in the night when I can’t sleep – these are the best times, when thoughts come flowing into my
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