Leonard Bernstein

The conductor's job is to make the orchestra sound better than it thinks it can.

If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

I don't believe in 'classical music' or 'popular music.' I believe in music that moves you and music that doesn't.

The true beauty of music is that it connects people.

My favorite composer is the one I'm conducting at the moment.

The best way to understand a piece of music is to live with it.

I'm not a perfectionist, but I do strive for excellence.

If you can't sing it, you can't play it.

The most important thing about music is that it's fun.

I don't conduct with my hands; I conduct with my heart.

A good conductor is like a good chef: he knows how to bring out the best in his ingredients.

The only thing better than making music is making music with friends.

I'm not interested in being famous. I'm interested in making music.

Music is the sound of our souls.

The best way to get over a bad performance is to have a good one.

Don't just play the notes; play the music.

The greatest thing you can do is to love and be loved in return.

The point of music is to make you feel something, to make you think something.

Life without music is unthinkable. Music without life is academic.

The artist's task is to save the world, not to make it a better place.