Georges Bizet

I want to do nothing chic, I want to have ideas before beginning a piece. Georges Bizet Religion is a means of exploitation employed by the strong against the weak; religion is a cloak of ambition, injustice and vice. Georges Bizet What a beautiful art, but what a wretched profession. Georges Bizet As a musician [...]

William Billings

It is much the best way… to lay the emphasis on the first part of the bar in triple time, and on the first and third parts of the bar in common time. William Billings Let tyrants shake their iron rod. William Billings In the first place, you must pay great attention to the key [...]

Elmer Bernstein

There’s no way I can compete with someone who can write rap or rock and roll. Nor do I wish to. But I’ve always kept up to date with music changes. I worked very hard not to type myself. Elmer Bernstein I made my way on to a grey list, a black list even. That’s [...]

Leonard Bernstein

Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable. Leonard Bernstein Technique is communication: the two words are synonymous in conductors. Leonard Bernstein A liberal is a man or a woman or a child who looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, and a bright, infinite future. Leonard Bernstein The key to [...]

Luciano Berio

The relation between practical and spiritual spheres in music is obvious, if only because it demands ears, finger, consciousness and intellect. Luciano Berio In music, as I find myself forever saying, things don’t get better or worse: they evolve and transform themselves. Luciano Berio  

Arthur Berger

Sometimes you know you find precious things in the creative process that you couldn’t find out of it. Arthur Berger

Hector Berlioz

Love cannot express the idea of music, while music may give an idea of love. Hector Berlioz The luck of having talent is not enough; one must also have a talent for luck. Hector Berlioz At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings. Hector Berlioz Every [...]

Alban Berg

Music is at once the product of feeling and knowledge, for it requires from its disciples, composers and performers alike, not only talent and enthusiasm, but also that knowledge and perception which are the result of protracted study and reflection. Alban Berg I can tell you, dearest friend, that if it became known how much [...]

Richard Rodney Bennett

I was a catastrophe at Science and Games, but the good thing about Quaker schools is that they encourage you in those subjects for which you show an aptitude. Richard Rodney Bennett

Thomas Beecham

I have just been all round the world and have formed a very poor opinion of it. Thomas Beecham Movie music is noise… even more painful than my sciatica. Thomas Beecham No operatic star has yet died soon enough for me. Thomas Beecham The English may not like music, but they absolutely love the noise [...]

Ludwig van Beethoven

Off with you! You’re a happy fellow, for you’ll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that! Ludwig van Beethoven Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually [...]

Bela Bartok

In art there are only fast or slow developments. Essentially it is a matter of evolution, not revolution. Bela Bartok Competitions are for horses, not artists. Bela Bartok I cannot conceive of music that expresses absolutely nothing. Bela Bartok

John Barry

There certainly is a lot of political pressure for states to adopt the new federal tax codes. But there is no law that requires them to do so. John Barry

Samuel Barber

I was meant to be a composer and will be I’m sure. Don’t ask me to try to forget this unpleasant thing and go play football – please. Samuel Barber

Johannes Sebastian Bach

It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself. Johannes Sebastian Bach Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul. Johannes Sebastian Bach I worked hard. Anyone who [...]

David Baker

In retrospect I realize that the threat was about ego rather than the validity of the music. David Baker No one bill will cure the problem of spam. It will take a combined effort of legislation, litigation, enforcement, customer education, and technology solutions. David Baker I believe without exception that theory follows practice. Whenever there [...]

Burt Bacharach

Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn. Burt Bacharach Never be ashamed to write a melody that people remember. Burt Bacharach I recorded the song live in front of an orchestra, and yes, I was very moved, I was in tears. Burt Bacharach The music is the last thing I’m [...]

Milton Babbitt

The new limitations are the human ones of perception. Milton Babbitt I dare suggest that the composer would do himself and his music an immediate and eventual service by total, resolute and voluntary withdrawal from this public world to one of private performance and electronic media. Milton Babbitt

Carter Burwell

Connection is what one is after in probably most media, but certainly in film, which is an immersive medium. Carter Burwell Death is always around the corner, but often our society gives it inordinate help. Carter Burwell Even if I went off to some other career, I hope I would still be doing Coen films. [...]

Malcolm Arnold

Although, I am proud of all my Symphonies as they all have something special to say, my particular favourite is the Fifth. As the great Mahler expert Donald Mitchell said that if Mahler had written another Symphony, it would have been my Fifth! Malcolm Arnold Music is the social act of communication among people, a [...]

George Antheil

It’s only when you suddenly stop perspiring that your forearms go dull. George Antheil

Beth Anderson

Women’s music is underrepresented. Beth Anderson Everything is just better in California – the wine, the food, fruits and vegetables, the comforts of living. Even the instrumentalists are generous and curious. Everything is wonderful. Beth Anderson

David Amram

Even before he had one book published, Jack was one of those people you could feel was very special. David Amram That by listening to some music, by reading some books, by looking at paintings, and most important by hanging out with one another – by collaborating with one another and creating your own network [...]

Thomas Campion

Follow thy fair sun, unhappy shadow. Thomas Campion Never weather-beaten sail more willing bent to shore. Thomas Campion Time’s fatal wings do ever forward fly; to every day we live, a day we die. Thomas Campion From heav’nly thoughts all true delight doth spring. Thomas Campion

Irving Caesar

Picture you upon my knee, just tea two and two for tea. Irving Caesar

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