Pierre Monteux Quotes

How I regret not having told César Franck of my profound admiration for him and his music. After playing he Sonata for violin for the first time, I nearly wept over certain phrases. The beauty of it overwhelmed me.

I always dreamed in my youth of a great, consuming love. I was often disappointed and returned each time to my music for consolation. It never failed me.

Madame, everyone is Someone.

I never conduct any of the ballets I conducted for the Ballets Russes, without my mind's eye being completely aware of the dancers.

Don’t overconduct; don’t make unnecessary movements or gestures

Stravinsky, 'e can do what 'e like, but I have to do what ze composer 'as written.

Told, during the days of segregation in the US, that he couldn't be served as he was trying to take breakfast at a restaurant "for colored folk", he insisted: "But we are colored, my dear. We are pink."

Don’t conduct solo instruments in solo passages; don’t worry or annoy sections or players by looking intently at them in ‘ticklish’ passages

Now that was very impressive. But before you try to impress the ladies in the balcony, make sure the horns come in.

Young conductors talk too much.

Don’t come before the orchestra is you have not mastered the score; don’t practise or learn the score ‘on the orchestra’

Don’t be disrespectful to your players (no swearing)

I decided then and there that the symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms were the only music for me, not the music of this crazy Russian. … My one desire was to flee that room and find a quiet corner in which to rest my aching head. Then Diaghilev turned to me and with a smile said, "This is a masterpiece, Monteux, which will completely revolutionize music and make you famous, because you are going to conduct it." And, of course, I did.

I regret they don't have symphony orchestras all over the world so I could see Burma and Samarkand.

I have always felt rather badly for orchestra musicians, especially the stringed instrument player who certainly in his youth expected to be a virtuoso… I admire their patience and ability, and through the years have made the effort to show them my respect and – love in many instances.