Music should strike fire from the heart of man and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.

I wish you music to help with the burdens of life ,and to help you release your happiness to others.

Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.

Life would be flat without music. It is the background to all I do. It speaks to the heart in its own special way like nothing else.

To play without passion is inexcusable!

What I have in my heart and soul - must find a way out. That's the reason for music.

Then let us all do what is right, strive with all our might toward the unattainable, develop as fully as we can the gifts God has given us, and never stop learning

An artist is someone who has learned to trust in himself.

Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors.

Hide your secret even from the closest friend; learn to be silent.

The fish don't need to know why they're in the water.

Art corrupts. Absolute art corrupts absolutely. Please corrupt me absolutely.

All wars are popular for the first 30 days.

I love being an entertainer - not really fond of being a celebrity.

And so for a couple of years my life was divided between my music and my school books.

I think when you pay attention to the shots, you're aware of the fact that there's a director. Really, it's the director's job to disappear and allow the movie to just feel.

[On accepting travel suggestions from her two daughters, 6 and 3:] When they pay for the vacation, they get to dictate where we go.

I’ve told you before, I love like a madman,” he said. “Immoderate, jealous, possessive...I’m absolutely intolerable.

I have seized the light. I have arrested its flight.

I shall need to sleep three weeks on end to get rested from the rest I've had.