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

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

I prefer Offenbach to Bach often.

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

Beethoven's last quartets were written by a deaf man and should only be listened to by a deaf man.

Composers and musicians have always starved and, as this is a sentimental country, we think the tradition should be continued.

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