Einstein had a profound appreciation for the music of Mozart and Bach, admiring the clear architectural structures within their compositions. He felt that their music possessed a deterministic quality, aligning with his belief that his own scientific theories emerged from the universe rather than being mere artifacts of human creativity. In contrast to Beethoven, whom he regarded as overly personal, Einstein found Mozart’s works to be so pure that they seemed to exist eternally in the cosmos.

Moreover, Einstein expressed discomfort when listening to Beethoven, suggesting that the composer’s intimate style made him feel exposed. He preferred the music of Bach, stating a longing for more of it, indicating a preference for the intricate and timeless nature of Bach's compositions over Beethoven's emotional expressiveness. This perspective highlights Einstein's desire for universality and objectivity in both science and art.