The music itself could never take the place of my own passion in life.

It is not always a matter of wild ovations and legendary performances. Sometimes you are just happy to get through an opera without trouble.

I'm a perfectionist, and I always think that I can do better what I have done, even if it's good.

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.

If children are not introduced to music at an early age, I believe something fundamental is actually being taken from them.

Music making is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.

If you see me once, you cannot confuse me with another.