Virgil Thomson Quotes & Sayings

I seem to write an opera about every 20 years; if you live long enough you can write four operas. I finished my third in 1970. — Virgil Thomson

I don't go around regretting things that don't happen. — Virgil Thomson

In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise. — Virgil Thomson

I listened to the pure crystalline notes of one of Mozart's concertos dropping at my feet like leaves from the trees. — Virgil Thomson

I look at you and I write down what I hear. — Virgil Thomson

Let your mind alone, and see what happens. — Virgil Thomson

I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can. — Virgil Thomson

You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way. — Virgil Thomson

I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good. — Virgil Thomson

I don't have to worry No matter what they do to it, it works. — Virgil Thomson

Reviewing music or reviewing anything is a writing job. It's nice if you are experienced in the field you are writing about, but writing is what you are doing. — Virgil Thomson

The description and explanation is the best part of music reviewing. There is such a thing, and you know it too, as a gift for judgment. If you have it, you can say anything you like. If you haven't got it, you don't know you haven't got it. — Virgil Thomson

Every composer's music reflects in its subject-matter and in its style the source of the money the composer is living on while writing the music. — Virgil Thomson

Musicians own music because music owns them. — Virgil Thomson

A libretto that should never have been accepted on a subject that should never have been chosen bya man who should never have attempted it. — Virgil Thomson

The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish. — Virgil Thomson

I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down. — Virgil Thomson

I don't care what other critics say, I only hope to be played. — Virgil Thomson

Verbal communication about music is impossible except among musicians. — Virgil Thomson