Richard Strauss Quotes

:5. But never let the horns and woodwind out of your sight: if you can hear them at all they are still too strong.

I hope, most revered Maestro, that these metronome markings, in my opinion wholly unneeded by you, are specific enough. Where they do not fit with your conception, I implore you urgently just to ignore them.

Man (in B major) asks: When? When? Nature, (in C Major) answers from the depths Never, never, never will the weather improve".

If my works are good and of any importance for the further development of our art, they will maintain their position in spite of all opposition on the part of critics, and in spite of all denigration of my artistic intentions. If they are worthtless, not even the most gratifying box office success or the most enthusiastic acclamation of augurs will keep them alive. Let the pulping press devour them...I shall not shed a tear over their grave.

I ask myself why I have actually survived once more and been called back to life.

Strauss told me about his new ballet, which he wrote in the summer. It’s called ‘Schlagobers’ (whipped cream) and he said, jokingly: ‘Oh yes, when one gets old one has ideas like that.’

Of all god-gifted dispensers of joy, Johann Strauss is to me the most endearing. I willingly admit to having sometimes conducted the Perpetuum Mobile with far more pleasure than many a four movement symphony.

Ten Golden Rules (for the album of a young conductor)

My wife, my child, my music, Nature and the sun; they are my happiness.

Why don't people see what is new in my work, how in them, as is found only in Beethoven, the human being visibly plays a part in the work.

:7. It is not enough that you yourself can hear every word the soloist sings - you know it off by heart anyway: the audience must be able to follow without effort. If they do not understand the words they will go to sleep.

:2. You should not perspire when conducting: only the audience should get warm.

Long live the politico-satrical-parodistic opera!

:10. If you follow these rules carefully you will, with your fine gifts and great accomplishments, always be the darling of your listeners.

Mozart's melodies, Beethoven's symphonies, Schubert's songs, acts two and three of Tristan are symbols in which are revealed the most profound spiritual truths. They are not "invented", but are "given in their dreams"to those privileged to receive them. Whence they come no one knows, not even their creator, the unconscious mouthpiece of the demiurge.