Silence will save me from being wrong (and foolish), but it will also deprive me of the possibility of being right.

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.

Sins cannot be undone, only forgiven.

What gives the artist real prestige is his imitators.

The performance of performance has developed to such an extent in recent years that it challenges the music itself and will soon threaten it with relegation.

A composer is not only an architect but also an inventor, and he should not build houses in which he cannot live.

Conductors' careers are made for the most part with 'Romantic' music. 'Classic' music eliminates the conductor; we do not remember him in it.