Composers and musicians have always starved and, as this is a sentimental country, we think the tradition should be continued.

Movie music is noise. It's even more painful than my sciatica.

Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

It is quite untrue that British people don't appreciate music. They may not understand it but they absolutely love the noise it makes.

Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory.

Beethoven's last quartets were written by a deaf man and should only be listened to by a deaf man.

The trouble with women in an orchestra is that if they're attractive it will upset my players and if they're not it will upset me.