Too much counterpoint; what is worse, Protestant counterpoint.

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.

Look around you… There! Yes, there!! There's what you need to succeed.

i like your embraces because the vertigo smells like the sun.

The reason why parents mistreat their children has less to do with character and temperament than with the fact that they were mistreated themselves and were not permitted to defend themselves.

You behold a range of exhausted volcanoes. Not a flame flickers on a single pallid crest.

It's important to listen to the words of the enemy if you're in war.

When an individual fear or apathy would cause us to pass by the unfortunate, then life is of no account.

It has done me good to be somewhat parched by the heat and drenched by the rain of life.

The care of our national commerce redounds more to the riches and prosperity of the public than any other act of government.

Insist upon yourself. Be original.

So Ham's wife that was preserved on the Ark was a Negro of the seed of Cain and there was a priestly purpose in it, that the Devil would have a representation as well as God.