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

Music must serve a purpose; it must be a part of something larger than itself, a part of humanity.

The only weapons I ever had were my cello and my baton.

What do we teach our children? . . . We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique . . . You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything.

I used to think that eighty was a very old age. Now I am ninety. I do not think this any more. As long as you are able to admire and to love, you are young.

Resist doing things that have no meaning for life.

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