A soprano in Massenet's Don Quixote complained that she had missed her entry in the aria, "because Mr. Challiapin always dies too soon." "Madam, you must be profoundly in error," said Sir Thomas, "No operatic star has yet died half soon enough for me."

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

In the first movement alone, I took note of six pregnancies and at least four miscarriages.

Elgar's first symphony is the musical equivalent of St Pancras Railway Station.

What can you do with it? It's like a lot of yaks jumping about.

Magical music never leaves the memory.

I have just been all round the world and have formed a very poor opinion of it.