»When we reach its ultimate essence, music is the voice of the All.«
»I believe that music can be an inspirational force in all our lives – that its eloquence and the depth of its meaning are all-important and that all personal considerations concerning musicians and public are relatively unimportant – that music comes from the heart and returns to the heart – that music is a spontaneous impulsive expression – that its range is without limit – that music is forever growing – and that music can be one element to help us build a new conception of life in which the madness and cruelty of wars will be replaced by a simple understanding of the brotherhood of man.«
»Great music always has great themes – these themes, or melodies, or ›tunes‹, – remain in the listener’s memory to be sung or whistled as an intimate part of the music-lover’s life.«
»A painter paints his pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. We provide the music, and you provide the silence.«
»Music can be all things to all persons. It is like a great dynamic sun in the center of a solar system which sends out its rays and inspiration in every direction… Music makes us feel that the heavens open and a divine voice calls. Something in our souls responds and understands.«
»Was Komponisten komponieren, existiert nur auf dem Papier. Manche glauben, daß man die Zeichen auf dem Papier bloß mechanisch wiedergeben sollte, aber daran glaube ich nicht. Man muß sehr viel weiter gehen.«