It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness and of pain: read more

It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness and of pain: of strength and freedom. The beauty of disappointment and never-satisfied love. The cruel beauty of nature, and everlasting beauty of monotony.

There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what read more

There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what goes on in between.

Wagner's music has some wonderful moments but awful half hours.

Wagner's music has some wonderful moments but awful half hours.

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?

Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?

Without music, life is a journey through a desert.

Without music, life is a journey through a desert.

There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and read more

There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.

When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to read more

When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to retain his amateur status. It is the thought of just such a listener that excites the composer in me.

Soprano, basso, even the contra-alto
Wished him five fathom under the Rialto.

Soprano, basso, even the contra-alto
Wished him five fathom under the Rialto.