When we use terms we get confused, yet we have no other way.

Shakespeare fascinated me. He hardly ever left the country. His imagination was worldwide though reading.

I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being.

Beethoven suppressed everything, his personal life disappeared until he was locked inside. That is a figure quite extreme.

I remain a humanist. We are a very curious race.

Poetry is fascinating. As soon as it begins the poetry has changed the thing into something extra, and somehow prose can go over into poetry.

Conductors don't suffer, they are part of the performance.