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

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

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

The most perfect melodic shapes are found in Mozart; he has the lightness of touch which is the true objective ... Listen to the remarkable expansion of a Mozart melody, to Cherubino's 'Voi che sapete', for instance. You think it is coming to an end, but it goes farther, even farther.

don't perspire while conducting - only the audience should get warm.

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

Ideas, like young wine, should be put in storage and taken up again only after they have been allowed to ferment and to ripen.