"I hate the word 'masterpiece.' It's a cliché."

"Conductors' careers are made for the most part with 'Romantic' music. 'Classic' music eliminates the conductor; we do not remember him in it."

"I never compose anything that I don't thoroughly understand."

"An artist is simply a kind of pig snouting truffles."

"To be deprived of art and left alone with philosophy is to be close to Hell."