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

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

I find brass bands have a melancholy sound. All right out of doors, of course - fifty miles away. Like bagpipes, they turn what had been a dream into a public nuisance.

If an opera cannot be played by an organ grinder, it's not going to achieve immortality.

As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?

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.