Virgil Thomson Quotes

Musicians own music because music owns them.

Reviewing music or reviewing anything is a writing job. It's nice if you are experienced in the field you are writing about, but writing is what you are doing.

The description and explanation is the best part of music reviewing. There is such a thing, and you know it too, as a gift for judgment. If you have it, you can say anything you like. If you haven't got it, you don't know you haven't got it.

The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish.

I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Music itself is not going to let you down.

I don't care what other critics say, I only hope to be played.

I listened to the pure crystalline notes of one of Mozart's concertos dropping at my feet like leaves from the trees.

I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good.

Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down.

In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise.

I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can.

Let your mind alone, and see what happens.

Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.

Verbal communication about music is impossible except among musicians.

You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.