A good conductor ought to be a good chauffeur; the qualities that make the one also make the other. They are concentration, an incessant control of attention, and presence of mind; the conductor only has to add a little sense of music.

My dear hands. Farewell, my poor hands.

I feel like a ghost wandering in a world grown alien. I cannot cast out the old way of writing and I cannot acquire the new. I have made an intense effort to feel the musical manner of today, but it will not come to me.

The virtuosos look to the students of the world to do their share in the education of the great musical public. Do not waste your time with music that is trite or ignoble. Life is too short to spend it wandering in the barren Saharas of musical trash.

Music is enough for a lifetime - but a lifetime is not enough for music.

I compose music because I must give expression to my feelings, just as I talk because I must give utterance to my thoughts.

The most efficient way to memorise a piece is to use the one which proceeds in an error free manner