Quotes from Sir Thomas Beecham

A musicologist is a man who can read music but can't hear it.

Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory.

Try everything once except folk dancing and incest.

If I cannot sing a work, I cannot conduct it.

The function of music is to release us from the tyranny of conscious thought.

Here are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesnt give a damn what goes on in between.

What can you do with it? It's like a lot of yaks jumping about.

Too much counterpoint; what is worse, Protestant counterpoint.

The musical equivalent of the towers of St Pancras Station.

He helped Walter Legge underwrite the creation of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and conducted its premiere concert on 25 October, 1945. Later, Legge raised the matter of Beecham's fee, to which he replied: "The privilege of directing this magnificent consort of artists is such that my pleasure would be diminished if I accepted a fee. I would, however, gladly accept a decent cigar"

It is said that in one rehearsal he was unsatisfied with the performance of a female cello soloist, and so said to her "Madam, you have between your legs an instrument capable of giving pleasure to thousands, and all you can do is scratch it!".

(To a lady cellist) Madame, you have between your legs the most beautiful instrument known to man, and all you can do is scratch it !

Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away.

Try everything once except incest and folk dancing.