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

The English may not like music, but they absolutely love the noise it makes.

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

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.

Too much counterpoint; what is worse, Protestant counterpoint.

I prefer Offenbach to Bach often.

Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away.