The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies read more

The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies and his life just to make sure that one note follows another . . . and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world.

Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.

Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.

Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?

Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?

Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist.

Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist.

Sounds like the blues are composed of feeling, finesse, and fear.

Sounds like the blues are composed of feeling, finesse, and fear.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Music must rank as the highest of the arts -- more than any other, it ministers to human welfare.

Music must rank as the highest of the arts -- more than any other, it ministers to human welfare.

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt read more

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt like de Kooning, who was asked to comment on a certain abstract painting, and answered in the negative. He was then told it was the work of a celebrated monkey. 'That's different. For a monkey, it's terrific.'