Oscar Levant quotes - page 2

Oscar Levant was an American pianist, composer, author, comedian, and actor, celebrated for his sharp wit and musical talent. His quick humor and insightful observations made him a beloved figure on radio, television, and in film. He captivated audiences with his eccentric personality and candid commentary on mental health and celebrity life. Here are 59 of his quotes:

When I used to speak of the lunatic fringe, I didn't know I was going to be head of it.

Oscar Levant

I have seizures of momentary sanity.

Oscar Levant

Apropos of nothing, I asked [Truman] Capote, "Are you for integration?” He said, "Yes, are you for integration?” I said, "I'm for disintegration... personal disintegration.”.

Oscar Levant

If George is around, it will.

Oscar Levant

Instant unconsciousness had been my greatest passion for ten years.

Oscar Levant

He writes the kind of music you whistle on the way into the theater.

Oscar Levant

It's an advantage having a limited output. When George Gershwin is asked to play his repertoire, he plays all evening. I just play "Lady Play Your Mandolin" and I'm through.

Oscar Levant

I rated the drug Demerol over sex as the ultimate pleasure at one time. Now I don't have access to either.

Oscar Levant

I would like to have been present, if I could have my choice of all moments in music history, when Stokowski suddenly became conscious of his beautiful hands. That must have been a moment. Like stout Cortez [sic] on a peak in Darien (I know it was Balboa) he saw before him a limitless expanse, a whole uncharted sea that might be subjected to his influence, free from the encumbrance of a baton.

Oscar Levant

The other night my daughter Lorna reminisced about the time I regressed to complete infantilism. We were having dinner and tapioca pudding was served. A wild glint came into my eyes and in the presence of my wife and children I shrieked at the top of my voice, "I love this more than anything in the world!” I had to be withdrawn from tapioca pudding slowly. It was one of the few times I wasn't committed to achieve withdrawal.

Oscar Levant

A psychiatrist once diagnosed my troubles as "an abdication of will.”.

Oscar Levant

Incompatibility. And besides, I think she hated me.

Oscar Levant

When I was in my prime, I was an egomaniac and didn't allow my wife to buy the best sardines–the King Oscars–which bear my name. I felt there should be only one king in my house.

Oscar Levant

I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin.

Oscar Levant

A politician is a man who will double cross that bridge when he comes to it.

Oscar Levant

Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome.

Oscar Levant

There are two sides to every question: my side and the wrong side.

Oscar Levant

He never asks the orchestra to do anything which contradicts the players' feeling of what the music signifies or what the printed notes of the score actually mean in plain musical language. To his credit he does not pretend to omniscience. When a certain progression of programs with the Philharmonic decreed that he conduct the Brahms Fourth Symphony two seasons ago, he disavowed intensive rehearsals with the simple statement to the orchestra: "Gentlemen, you know the work better than I do." Both the compliment and the attitude endeared themselves so much to the orchestra that they literally forgot themselves in a mass effort to justify his statement-and, as one of those who heard the performance, I can testify that they delivered one of the most powerful and integrated interpretations of the score that New York has experienced in years.

Oscar Levant

Ballet is the fairies' baseball.

Oscar Levant

A conductor should reconcile himself to the realization that regardless of his approach or temperament the eventual result is the same-the orchestra will hate him.

Oscar Levant

Marriage is a triumph of habit over hate.

Oscar Levant

I have no trouble with y enemies. But my god damn friends... they are the ones that keep me walking the floors at night.

Oscar Levant