Never sound pompous. You always sound noble, noble. Absolute character of music is nobility. Even popular music can be noble, you see. If it's not noble, then it's not very good... Music is an art of emotion, of nobility, of dignity, of greatness, of love, of tenderness. All that must be brought out in music but never a show of pompousness.

Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back.

We only begin to live life when we learn to accept it on its own terms.

Sometimes I think, not so much am I a pianist, but a vampire. All my life I have lived off the blood of Chopin.

You cannot play the piano well unless you are singing within you.

Life is the game that must be played, this truth at least, good friends, we know; so live and laugh, nor be dismayed as one by one the phantoms go.

People are always setting conditions for happiness... I love life without condition.