How could anybody think of Bach as 'cold' when these [cello] suites seem to shine with the most glittering kind of poetry," Casals said. "As I got on with the study I discovered a new world of space and beauty... the feelings I experienced were among the purest and most intense in my artistic life!

The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?

The art of interpretation is not to play what is written.

Throughout my career, nervousness and stage-fright have never left me before playing. And each of the thousands of concerts I have played at, I feel as bad as I did the very first time.

To live is not enough; we must take part.

The truly important things in life - love, beauty, and one's own uniqueness - are constantly being overlooked.

For me, Bach is like Shakespeare. He has known all and felt all. He is everything.