What can you do with it? It's like a lot of yaks jumping about.

The function of music is to release us from the tyranny of conscious thought.

They are quite hopeless - drooling, driveling, doleful, depressing, dropsical drips.

Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

The trouble with women in an orchestra is that if they're attractive it will upset my players and if they're not it will upset me.

"Have you heard any Stockhausen?" Beecham was asked. "No, but I believe I have stepped in some."

Madam, you have between your legs an instrument capable of giving pleasure to thousands and all you can do is scratch it.

The sound of a harpsichord - two skeletons copulating on a tin roof in a thunderstorm.

Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory.

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.

It is quite untrue that British people don't appreciate music. They may not understand it but they absolutely love the noise it makes.

Whatever you want to be in life, you're training for it right now.

Total failure isn't something I want to spend a lot of time envisioning. I'm pretty sure I'll recognize it if it comes.

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.

Within us is the unborn possibility of limitless experience. Ours is the privilege of giving birth to it!

And when you have it, what then? Some secrets are safer kept hidden. Some secrets are too dangerous to share, even with those you love and trust.

Rocket to Russia' is, I think, my favorite Ramones record. We reached our peak at that point.

No other great master has been so misunderstood by the vast majority of chess amateurs and even by many masters, as has Emanuel Lasker.

To tell you the truth, I never wanted to become a moviemaker. It was like I was a cinepihile, and I go, like, three or four times per week to the cinema, and I like to watch films.

When you understand someone... truly understand someone... you can't help but love them. Therefore... anyone in your life... ANYONE... who you feel less than love for... you have misunderstood.

The children of any nation are its future. A country, a movement, a person that does not value its youth and children does not deserve its future.