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The oldest, truest, most beautiful organ of music, the origin to which alone our music owes its being, is the human voice.

— Richard Wagner Opera and Drama (1851)

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Music

More quotes by Richard Wagner

This is Alberich's dream come true — Nibelheim, world dominion, activity, work, everywhere the oppressive feeling of steam and fog.

Cosima Wagner's Diaries (1978)

I am writing Parsifal only for my wife — if I had to depend on the German spirit, I should have nothing more to say.

Cosima Wagner's Diaries (1978)

Certain things in Mozart will and can never be excelled.

Cosima Wagner's Diaries (1978)

"Property" has acquired an almost greater sacredness in our social conscience than religion: for offence against the latter there is lenience, for damage to the former no forgiveness.

Know Thyself (1881)

"I believe in God; and Mozart, and Beethoven as his only sons."

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The emphasis of study upon a particular aspect of music is in itself ideological because it contains implications about the music's value.

Lucy Green

Music is well said to be the speech of angels.

Thomas Carlyle Critical and Miscellaneous Essays (1827)

Music has no subject beyond the combinations of notes we hear, for music speaks not only by means of sounds, it speaks nothing but sound.

Eduard Hanslick

Above the pitch, out of tune, and off the hinges.

François Rabelais Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Richard Wagner (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.