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

"Have you heard any Stockhausen?" Beecham was asked. "No, but I believe I have stepped in some."

When asked whether he minded if someone smoked in a non-smoking compartment. Certainly not if you don't object if I'm sick.

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

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

At a rehearsal I let the orchestra play as they like. At the concert I make them play as I like.

No woman is worth the loss of a night's sleep.