Richard Strauss

“Never look encouragingly at the brass, except with a short glance to give an important cue.”

“Never let the horns and woodwinds out of your sight; if you can hear them at all, they are too loud.”

“The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but it is the most difficult to play.”

“Bear in mind that you are not making music for your own pleasure, but for the pleasure of your audience.”

“I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer.”