Igor Stravinsky

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt read more

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt like de Kooning, who was asked to comment on a certain abstract painting, and answered in the negative. He was then told it was the work of a celebrated monkey. 'That's different. For a monkey, it's terrific.'

Commemoration of Johann Sebastian Bach, musician, 1750 The Church knew what the Psalmist knew: music praises God. Music read more

Commemoration of Johann Sebastian Bach, musician, 1750 The Church knew what the Psalmist knew: music praises God. Music is as well, or better, able to praise Him than the building of a church and all its decoration; it is the Church's greatest ornament.

A good composer does not imitate; he steals.

A good composer does not imitate; he steals.

Just as appetite comes from eating, so work brings inspiration, if inspiration is not discernible at the beginning

Just as appetite comes from eating, so work brings inspiration, if inspiration is not discernible at the beginning

The Church knew what the psalmist knew: Music praises God. Music is well or better able to praise him than read more

The Church knew what the psalmist knew: Music praises God. Music is well or better able to praise him than the building of the church and all its decoration; it is the Church's greatest ornament.