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

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

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.

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.

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

Verbal communication about music is impossible except among musicians.

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