Movie music is noise. It's even more painful than my sciatica.

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.

Lord, may the pain be ours, And the weakness that it brings, But at least give us the strength, Of not showing it to anyone!

Wealth and greed are the roots of all evils

I'd no room left in me for thinking of trifling things. I could feel fear start up and try to take down my rage, but I'd not give it up.

For my own family, I would always choose the makeshift, surrogate family formed by various characters unrelated by blood.

There's a lot in common between the Trump phenomenon and the campaign for Britain to exit the European Union, known as Brexit.

An image of thought called philosophy has been formed historically and it effectively stops people from thinking.

There is only one way to be prepared for death: to be sated. In the soul, in the heart, in the spirit, in the flesh. To the brim.

Dimly lit restaurants always make me think they're trying to hide the food.

Many new churches, I regret to say, can be described from the design point of view only as holy terrors.

I really do take more vacations than the president. You can quote me on that.