Precisely the ideas discussed by S. Chandrasekhar (White dwarfs; Chandra X-ray telescope) in his book "Truth and Beauty: Aesthetics and Motivation in Science"[0]. The book draws a large number of examples from (astro)physicists, but he also expands into Beethoven and Shakespeare among others.

A must read if such ideas interest you. And even if they don't, it is an awesomely well written book, well worth a read!

[0]http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Beauty-Aesthetics-Motivations-Sc...

A very relevant book on this aspect is: http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Beauty-Aesthetics-Motivations-Sc...

The author compares and contrasts the differences between early blossoming and late blossoming intellects. The science/math geniuses belong usually to the former and the artists to the latter. Perhaps, programming is more art than we have been led to believe.