The majority of my symphonies are tombstones.

A great piece of music is beautiful regardless of how it is performed.

Stravinsky the composer I worship. Stravinsky the thinker I despise.

I always try to make myself as widely understood as possible; and if I don't succeed, I consider it my own fault.

Real music is always revolutionary, for it cements the ranks of the people; it arouses them and leads them onward.

I write music, it’s performed. After all, my music says it all. It doesn’t need historical and hysterical commentaries. In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music.

The best way to hold on to something is to pay no attention to it. The things you love too much perish. You have to treat everything with irony, especially the things you hold dear. There's more of a chance then that they'll survive.