My God, so much I like to drink Scotch that sometimes I think my name is Igor Stra-whiskey.

I was born out of due time in the sense that by temperament and talent I should have been more suited for the life of a small Bach, living in anonymity and composing regularly for an established service and for God.

Silence, which will save from shame, will also deprive me of fame.

Mediocrity borrows, genius steals.

I take no pride in my artistic talents; they are God-given and I see absolutely no reason to become puffed up over something that one has received.

The further one separates himself from the precepts of the Christian Church, the further one distances himself from the truth. Only God can create. I make music from music.

It is my conviction that the public always shows itself more honest in its spontaneity than do those who officially set themselves up as judges of works of art.