Artur Schnabel Quotes

#1. Mozart is the most inaccessible of the great masters.

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

#4. I practice in my head.

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

#8. 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!!

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

#11. When a piece gets difficult, make faces.

Artur Schnabel

#12. Applause is a receipt, not a note of demand.

Artur Schnabel

#13. Sunshine can burn you, food can poison you, words can condemn you, pictures can insult you; music cannot punish - only bless.

Artur Schnabel

#14. 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.

Artur Schnabel

#15. The sonatas of Mozart are unique; they are too easy for children, and too difficult for artists.

Artur Schnabel

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

Artur Schnabel

#17. Great music is better than it can be performed.

Artur Schnabel