When I Play, I Make Love –

When I Sit In Paris In A Cafe, Surrounded By People, I Don't Sit Casually - I Go Over A Certain Sonata In My Head And Discover New Things All The Time.

Never Sound Pompous. You Always Sound Noble, Noble. Absolute Character Of Music Is Nobility. Even Popular Music Can Be Noble, You See. If It's Not Noble, Then It's Not Very Good... Music Is An Art Of Emotion, Of Nobility, Of Dignity, Of Greatness, Of Love, Of Tenderness. All That Must Be Brought Out In Music But Never A Show Of Pompousness.

...stories About [the German Composer Johannes] Brahms's Rudeness And Wit Amused Me In Particular. For Instance, I Loved The One About How A Great Wine Connoisseur Invited The Composer To Dinner. 'this Is The Brahms Of My Cellar,' He Said To His Guests, Producing A Dust-covered Bottle And Pouring Some Into The Master's Glass. Brahms Looked First At The Color Of The Wine, Then Sniffed Its Bouquet, Finally Took A Sip, And Put The Glass Down Without Saying A Word. 'don't You Like It?' Asked The Host. 'hmm,' Brahms Muttered. 'better Bring Your Beethoven!'

Don't Tell Me How Talented You Are. Tell Me How Hard You Work.

It Took Great Courage To Ask A Beautiful Young Woman To Marry Me. Believe Me, It Is Easier To Play The Whole Petrushka On The Piano.