Virgil Thomson

“I look at you and I write down what I hear.”

“I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good.”

“Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.”

“Musicians own music because music owns them.”

“In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise.”

“You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.”

“I don't have to worry No matter what they do to it, it works.”

“I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can.”

“I don't care what other critics say, I only hope to be played.”

“I don't go around regretting things that don't happen.”

“Reviewing music or reviewing anything is a writing job. It's nice if you are experienced in the field you are writing about, but writing is what you are doing.”

“Let your mind alone, and see what happens.”

“I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down.”