I prefer Offenbach to Bach often.

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

There are no woman composers, never have been and possibly never will be.

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."

A musicologist is a man who can read music but cannot hear it.

Music first and last should sound well, should allure and enchant the ear. Never mind the inner significance.

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