Even experimental composers, revolutionary composers, self-styled radicals are, in writing revolutionary music, recognizing the music that preceded them precisely by trying to avoid it.

Life without music is unthinkable.

To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.

Conducting is like making love to a hundred people at the same time.

I hate you, Richard Wagner . . . but I hate you on my knees.

This must be the mission of every man of goodwill: to insist, unflaggingly, at risk of becoming a repetitive bore, but to insist on the achievement of a world in which the mind will have triumphed over violence.

Success is all very well as long as you don't inhale.