I was born and trained to communicate music, just as the sons were born and trained to hunt, and I was lucky to have grown up in Hungary, a country that lives and breathes music-that has a passionate belief in the power of music as a celebration of life. Votes: 24
During the first six years of my life, Hungary was one of the most important components of the Habsburg dynasty's vast Austro-Hungarian Empire, but after World War I it became an independent national entity. Votes: 15
But one day, when I was still young, I was parted from my family and left my native country. I hunted and searched for music, and destiny turned me into the object of my hunt. The circumstances of life became my 'antlers' and prevented me from returning home. Votes: 14
I would never have become music director of the Chicago Symphony, which would have been an extremely sad loss. Votes: 13
The academy gave me a grounding in discipline and hard work that has sustained me throughout my life, and the lessons I learned there I now try to impress on young people. Votes: 12
Friends are very important to me, and I have always had many of them. There are probably many reasons why this is so, but two seem to me more valid than any of the others I am a naturally friendly person, and I hate to be alone. Votes: 10
Although both sides of my family were religious, I was never forced to practice the Jewish faith. I did not really rebel against it, but then, as today, I disliked organized religion. I have a strange inhibition about praying with others. Votes: 8
My entire learning process is slow, because I have no visual memory. Votes: 7
I can only hope that neither of my daughters was scarred by their upbringing. Votes: 6
Everyone says you have to be a specialist, and if you conduct Wagner you cannot conduct Mozart - this is nonsense. Votes: 6
The joy of working with the Chicago Symphony was immeasureable. Votes: 6
Mozart makes you believe in God because it cannot be by chance that such a phenomenon arrives into this world and leaves such an unbounded number of unparalleled masterpieces. Votes: 6
I have a theory that there is something abnormal about children who like to practice instruments They are either geniuses or, more often, completely untalented. I certainly did not like to practice, and the teacher who hit me, and the view of the park, did not help to improve my attitude. Votes: 4
I wanted to get away from my past and everything connected with it. Votes: 4
The experience awakened 'my tremendous musical ambition, which has never subsided to this day. Votes: 3
The stag tells him that he is the eldest of the sons - the father's favorite - and he warns the father that if he tries to shoot any of the stags, their antlers will tear him to pieces. Votes: 1
After about six months, I told my mother that I wanted the lessons to stop, and she was intelligent enough not to force me to continue. Besides, the lessons cost money, which was anything but abundant in our household. Votes: 0
Between the two men, somewhere, a truth is lying, and that is what I try to find. Votes: 0
Fight the tendency to become complacent and do one kind of music - that is the death of a musician. Votes: 0
From Toscanini I learnt the essential and desperate seriousness of making music. Votes: 0