Virgil Thomson Quotes

I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down.

- Virgil Thomson

In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise.

- Virgil Thomson

Musicians own music because music owns them.

- Virgil Thomson

Reviewing music or reviewing anything is a writing job. It's nice if you are experienced in the field you are writing about, but writing is what you are doing.

- Virgil Thomson

I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can.

- Virgil Thomson

I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good.

- Virgil Thomson

Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.

- Virgil Thomson

I don't go around regretting things that don't happen.

- Virgil Thomson

I don't care what other critics say, I only hope to be played.

- Virgil Thomson

You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.

- Virgil Thomson

I look at you and I write down what I hear.

- Virgil Thomson

Let your mind alone, and see what happens.

- Virgil Thomson