My Favorite Music Quotes

It’s Labor Day here in the US, a day our nation honors the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. And how do we observe it? By taking the day off, and having one last barbecue to celebrate the end of summer vacations and our return to school and work.

Today I am celebrating Labor Day by sharing with you a dozen of my favorite quotes from my special file of quotes about music and musicians. Some are inspirational; some thought-provoking; some humorous. I hope you find one that will brighten your day. And I would love it if you would share one of your favorite music quotes in the comments below!

Where words fail, music speaks. – Hans Christian Andersen, Danish author (1805-1875)

When you play, never mind who listens to you. – Robert Schumann, German composer (1810-1856)

Music . . . can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable. – Leonard Bernstein, American pianist, composer and conductor (1918-1990)

I think a lot of Bernstein – but not as much as he does. – Oscar Levant, American pianist and composer (1906-1972)

Another traditional brainstorm is, that ‘the harp is a very limited instrument’. This observation may be true, but only in the mind of people with limited understanding – musician not excluded. – Carlos Salzedo, French harpist and composer (1885-1961)

The practice of scales solves the greatest number of technical problems in the shortest amount of time. – Andres Segovia, Spanish classical guitarist (1893-1987)

There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn’t give a damn what goes on in between. – Sir Thomas Beecham, English conductor (1879-1961)

Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end. – Igor Stravinsky, Russian composer (1882-1971)

Without music, life would be a mistake. – Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosohper (1844-1900)

Strange! that a harp of thousand strings
Should keep in tune so long. – Isaac Watts, English Christian hymnwriter (1674-1748)

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. – Victor Hugo, French author (1802-1885)

Don’t forget to share a quote!