Thomas Beecham quotes

Thomas Beecham was an English conductor and impresario, renowned for his work in popularizing classical music. His dynamic leadership brought renewed energy to British orchestras and opera companies. He was especially notable for his interpretations of composers like Delius and Mozart. Here are 20 of his quotes:

A musicologist is a man who can read music but can't hear it. (Thomas Beecham)
Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory. View quote
Thomas Beecham
What can you do with it? It's like a lot of yaks jumping about. View quote
Thomas Beecham
Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away. View quote
Thomas Beecham
The grand tune is the only thing in music that the great public really understands. View quote
Thomas Beecham
The function of music is to release us from the tyranny of conscious thought. View quote
Thomas Beecham
Too much counterpoint; what is worse, Protestant counterpoint. View quote
Thomas Beecham
The English may not like music, but they absolutely love the noise it makes. View quote
Thomas Beecham
I found it as alluring as a wayward woman and determined to tame it. View quote
Thomas Beecham
The musical equivalent of the towers of St Pancras Station. View quote
Thomas Beecham
Asked if he had ever conducted any Stockhausen, he said, "No, but I once trod in some." (Thomas Beecham)
If I cannot sing a work, I cannot conduct it. View quote
Thomas Beecham
No composer has written as much as 100 bars of worthwhile music since 1925. View quote
Thomas Beecham
A city life for me! View quote
Thomas Beecham
There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what goes on in between. View quote
Thomas Beecham
Movie music is noise. It's even more painful than my sciatica. View quote
Thomas Beecham
Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle. View quote
Thomas Beecham
I have just been all round the world and have formed a very poor opinion of it. View quote
Thomas Beecham
All the arts in America are a gigantic racket run by unscrupulous men for unhealthy women. View quote
Thomas Beecham
No operatic star has yet died soon enough for me. View quote
Thomas Beecham

Thomas Beecham

Thomas Beecham - Image
Occupation: British Conductor
Born: April 29, 1879
Died: March 8, 1961
Quotes count: 20
Wikipedia: Thomas Beecham

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