Inspirational and Musical Quotes for Solo...

[chopinetta]

Please send in inspirational and musical quotes fit for a Solo recital programme. My friend will be having her recital on Jan.25, and wants me to have this share to be written on her programme.  I can't contribute any chopin because she and her teacher will probably be tired of it. I'm always blabbering about chopin. please please please...

[bernhard]

Is that what you are looking for?

The point is, if music is your passion, then you must want to know everything there is to know about it.  You are compelled to learn it because of this desire.  The arts should not be a drag for anyone if they live and breathe art.  Do you?  
(Robert Henry)

Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, You learn notes to play to the music of your soul (Katie Greenwood)

The aim of music is not to express feelings but to express music. It is not a vessel into which the composer distills his soul drop by drop, but a labyrinth with no beginning and no end, full of new paths to discover, where mystery remains eternal.
(Pierre Boulez)

"Music is essentially useless, as is life."
(George Santayana)

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."
(Confucius)

"I’ve never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down."
(Virgil Thompson)

The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
(Hunter Thompson)

Bad music disturbs me, but wonderful music disturbs me even more." (Arturo Benedetti Michelangelli)

When I am playing, I am in ecstasy; that is what I live for. (Claudio Arrau)

The conscious projection of music for the pleasure of the listener instantly changes the character of a performance.  We must not permit our thoughts to wander; the best way to communicate with the listener is to communicate with ourselves, and with the music we are performing.  Our going on stage to perform a piece of music is almost an act of egocentricity, because we assume that what we are about to do is worth the instant and full attention of two or three thousand people in the audience.  As soon as the performance is over, this egocentricity must be eliminated, otherwise it will make our life, and those of others, unbearable. Every work of art has two faces, one directed towards eternity and the other towards its own time.  The part that remains is the spirit of the work, its essence.  A musical composition should be seen as existing by itself and for itself, and not as having been created for a purpose, however positive or beneficial.  As human beings we do not possess infinite qualities, but as musicians I believe we can extend our finite power to a point where we can create an illusion of infinity.  It is only by knowing ourselves that we come to know the things outside ourselves.  Artists tend to feel that they are a law unto themselves.  The transition from music making to everyday life is very difficult.  Qualities that are necessary for the one may not necessarily be positive for the other.  Artists must retain all the determination and fire and authority in their unique art but  remember that there is nothing unique in their outside lives.  We are all very much of a muchness!  (Daniel Barenboim)

[krenske]

when asked the secret of piano playing...
"I always open the lid before i start to play" [Beethoven]

[bitus]

Bernhard,
where did you get that quote from Daniel Barenboim?
Thanks,
The Bitus

[bernhard]

Bernhard,
where did you get that quote from Daniel Barenboim?
Thanks,
The Bitus

Sorry, I have been looking for it. I have no idea where I got it from (Ihave been collecting this stuff for years). Initially I thought it was from a book or an interview. But it may even be from a TV program. I will keep looking andif I come accross it I will let you know.