The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, read more

The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?" My answer to that would be, 'No.'

Life is like music; it must be composed by ear, feeling, and instinct, not by rule.

Life is like music; it must be composed by ear, feeling, and instinct, not by rule.

Musical people always want one to be perfectly dumb at the very moment when one is longing to be perfectly read more

Musical people always want one to be perfectly dumb at the very moment when one is longing to be perfectly deaf.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

God is its author, and not man; he laid
The key-note of all harmonies; he planned
All read more

God is its author, and not man; he laid
The key-note of all harmonies; he planned
All perfect combinations, and he made
Us so that we could hear and understand.

Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

Music can change the world because it can change people.

Music can change the world because it can change people.

Music . . .can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.

Music . . .can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.

When words leave off, music begins.

When words leave off, music begins.