If you think that the brass is not blowing loud enough, mute it by a couple of degrees.

On conducting: If you can just barely hear the French horns on stage, the balance is perfect.

Must one become seventy years old to recognize that one's greatest strength lies in creating musical kitsch?

The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but the most difficult to play.

Never look at the trombones, you'll just encourage them.

I shall never be converted, and I shall remain true to my old religion of the classics until my life's end.

Its a funny thing Alice, dying is just the way I composed it in Tod und Verklärung.