Applause is a receipt, not a note of demand. - Artur Schnabel

I am attracted only to music which I consider to be better than it can be performed. Therefore I feel (rightly or wrongly) that unless a piece of music presents a problem to me, a never-ending problem, it doesn't interest me too much.

I know two kinds of audience only – one coughing, and one not coughing.

The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes – ah, that is where the art resides.