I was born out of due time in the sense that by temperament and talent I should have been more suited for the life of a small Bach, living in anonymity and composing regularly for an established service and for…

Quote by Igor Stravinsky

Topics: God Quotes, Life Quotes, Living Quotes

Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal.

Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal.

Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end.

Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end.

What gives the artist real prestige is his imitators.

What gives the artist real prestige is his imitators.

The real composer thinks about his work the whole time; he is not always conscious...

The real composer thinks about his work the whole time; he is not always conscious...

To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears...

To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears...

Harpists spend 90 percent of their lives tuning their harps and 10 percent playing out...

Harpists spend 90 percent of their lives tuning their harps and 10 percent playing out...

The Church knew what the psalmist knew: Music praises God. Music is well or better...

The Church knew what the psalmist knew: Music praises God. Music is well or better...

A good composer does not imitate; he steals.

A good composer does not imitate; he steals.

Why is it that whenever I hear a piece of music I don't like, it's...

Why is it that whenever I hear a piece of music I don't like, it's...

Is it not by love alone that we succeed in penetrating to the very essence...

Is it not by love alone that we succeed in penetrating to the very essence...

Film music should have the same relationship to the film drama that somebody's piano playing...

Film music should have the same relationship to the film drama that somebody's piano playing...

It's one of nature's ways that we often feel closer to distant generations than to...

It's one of nature's ways that we often feel closer to distant generations than to...

My music is best understood by children and animals.

My music is best understood by children and animals.

Music is given to us with the sole purpose of establishing an order in things,...

Music is given to us with the sole purpose of establishing an order in things,...

In order to create there must be a dynamic force, and what force is more...

In order to create there must be a dynamic force, and what force is more...

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What...

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What...

I know that the twelve notes in each octave and the variety of rhythm offer...

I know that the twelve notes in each octave and the variety of rhythm offer...

Money may kindle, but it cannot by itself, and for very long, burn.

Money may kindle, but it cannot by itself, and for very long, burn.

I have learned throughout my life as a composer chiefly through my mistakes and pursuits...

I have learned throughout my life as a composer chiefly through my mistakes and pursuits...

I am an inventor of music.

I am an inventor of music.