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Pierre Monteux Quotes

1875–1964 France

Pierre Monteux (4 April 1875 – 1 July 1964, in Paris, France) was a conductor who directed over 100 orchestras around the world. He began his career in Paris in music-hall, chamber music and as the principal viola of the Colonne Orchestra.

France
Conductors

Random Pierre Monteux quote

14 quotes

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

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

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.

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

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 be disrespectful to your players (no swearing)

Doris G (1965)

'E does not know 'is métier.

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 overconduct; don’t make unnecessary movements or gestures

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

"Madame, everyone is Someone."

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.

Doris G (1965)

In earlier days I used to like introducing new music in concerts but now I feel that I have done my duty to young composers… so I return to my first love Romantic music – and especially to Brahms who has always been my favourite.

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Pierre Monteux (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.