Benny has done more than raise millions of dollars to erase operating deficits of major orchestras. He has brought multitudes of people who would not otherwise be there into the concert halls to prove that music can be entertaining and rewarding. ~ Leonard Bernstein

(when asked how well her father played the violin) Well, let me put it this way. He doesn't play as well as Jascha Heifetz - but then, who does? ~ Joan Benny

Last night, Jack Benny played Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn lost. ~ New York Post Critic

When Jack Benny walks out in tails in front of ninety great musicians, he looks like the world's greatest violinist. It's a shame he has to play. ~ Isaac Stern

'Here are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what goes on in between.'

Never look at the Trombones, you'll only encourage them.

'I think the origin of all this clamour for tonality is not so much the need to sense a relationship to the tonic, as a need for familiar chords: let us be fra…