The cello is like a beautiful woman who has not grown older, but younger with time, more slender, more supple, more graceful.

The greatest respect an artist can pay to music is to give it life.

To live is not enough; we must take part.

The simplest things in music are the ones that count. The simplest thing are, of course, also the most difficult to achieve and take years of work.

The person who works and is never bored is never old. Work and interest in worthwhile things are the best remedy for age.

I have always regarded manual labour as creative and looked with respect-and, yes, wonder-at people who work with their hands. It seems to me that their creativity is no less than that of a violinist or painter.

The most perfect technique is that which is not noticed at all.