Music was not invented by the composer, but found.

Music was not invented by the composer, but found.

It is easier to analyze a work in its form, in its evolution, than simply to love it with all the living forces of our heart. It is easier to define its peculiarities and its details than to draw out of it its emotion, its thought.

Words created divergencies between beings, because their precise meanings put an opinion around the idea. Music only retains the highest and purest substance of the idea, since it has the privilege of expressing all, whilst excluding nothing.

As far as the execution is concerned ... the most frequent and most serious mistake is to follow the music instead of preceding it.

Never forget that your days are blessed. You may know how to profit by them, or you may not, but they are blesses.

I've been a woman for a little over 50 years and have gotten over my initial astonishment. As for conducting an orchestra, that's a job where I don't think sex plays much part.