Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.

So long as the human spirit thrives on this planet, music in some living form will accompany and sustain it and give it expressive meaning.

The greatest moments of the human spirit may be deduced from the greatest moments in music.

Most people use music as a couch; they want to be pillowed on it, relaxed and consoled for the stress of daily living. But serious music was never meant to be soporific.

Listening to the Fifth Symphony of Ralph Vaughan Williams is like staring at a cow for 45 minutes.

The main thing is to be satisfied with your work yourself. It's useless to have an audience happy if you are not happy.

If you want to know about the Sixties, play the music of The Beatles.

Music that is born complex is not inherently better or worse than music that is born simple.

Composers tend to assume that everyone loves music. Surprisingly enough, everyone doesn’t.

A melody is not merely something you can hum.

Yes, sir, there are things to see and do on the French Riviera without spending money.

You have heroes? No? what kind of feeling exist in you?

Dishonesty is a forsaking of permanent for temporary advantages.

Beware when any idea is promoted primarily because it is "bold, exciting, innovative, and new." There are many ideas that are "bold, exciting, innovative and new," but also foolish.

The contemporary thing in art and literature is the thing which doesn't make enough difference to the people of that generation so that they can accept it or reject it.

Never try to sell at the top. It isn't wise. Sell after a reaction if there is no rally.

I thought for a minute, and then I got heavy, heavy boots.

Man must be prepared for every event of life, for there is nothing that is durable.

Time goes on. So whatever you're going to do, do it. Do it now. Don't wait.

Just as the heart becomes carefree in a place of green, growing plants, goodwill and kindness are born when our souls enter happiness.