Artur Schnabel Quotes

Artur Schnabel delivers dry, observant commentary on music and performance that feels like a quiet backstage chat.

17 quotes

  1. Applause is a receipt, not a note of demand.

  2. The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides.

  3. I am attracted only to music which I consider to be better than it can be performed. Therefore I feel (rightly or wrongly) that unless a piece of music presents a problem to me, a never-ending problem, it doesn't interest me too much.

  4. Children are given Mozart because of the small quantity of the notes; grown-ups avoid Mozart because of the great quality of the notes.

  5. I know two kinds of audience only - one coughing, and one not coughing.

  6. I am attracted only to music which I consider to be better than it can be performed.

  7. I dont think I handle the notes much differently from other pianists. But the pauses between the notes--ah, there is where the artistry lies!!

  8. Great music is better than it can be performed.

  9. Mozart is a garden, Schubert is a forest in light and shade, but Beethoven is a mountain range.

  10. I don't think I handle the notes much differently from other pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, there is where the artistry lies!!

  11. When a piece gets difficult, make faces.

  12. Have I a secret about playing the piano? It's a very simple one. I sit down on the piano stool and make myself comfortable - and I always make sure that the lid over the keyboard is open before I start to play.

  13. I am the only person here who is enjoying this, and I get the money; they pay and have to suffer.

  14. It is not music's function to express rational necessities.

  15. I know two kinds of audiences only--one coughing, and one not coughing.

  16. I always make sure that the lid over the keyboard is open before I start to play.

  17. Mozart is the most inaccessible of the great masters.