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Walter Legge Quotes

Powerful Walter Legge for Daily Growth

About Walter Legge

Walter Legge (1906-1979) was an influential British music producer, conductor, and founder of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Born in London on February 25, 1906, his interest in music began at a young age when he started playing the violin at the age of six. He received his early education at Eton College and later studied composition under Gustav Holst and Herbert Murrill at the Royal College of Music. In 1927, Legge joined the BBC as an assistant producer for radio broadcasts. This position provided him with invaluable experience in music production, leading him to establish his own company, EMI's Columbia record label, in 1935. Here, he worked with many renowned artists such as Arturo Toscanini and Wilhelm Furtwängler. During World War II, Legge was instrumental in creating the Forces' Programme for British troops, producing over 200 concerts and recording more than 100 works, many of which were premieres. Post-war, he founded the Philharmonia Orchestra in 1945, aiming to provide an orchestra for recordings but also to perform live concerts. Throughout his career, Legge was known for his innovative approach to recording techniques and his commitment to preserving classical music. He produced some of the most important recordings of the 20th century, including the first stereo recording of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and several landmark performances with Herbert von Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic. In 1958, he left EMI to form his own company, Decca Records, where he continued to produce groundbreaking recordings until his retirement in 1970. Walter Legge passed away on January 24, 1979, leaving behind a significant legacy as a pioneer of the classical music industry. His influence continues to resonate today, with many of his productions still considered among the finest examples of their kind.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is the divine way of telling beautiful truths."

This quote by Walter Legge emphasizes the transcendent power of music as a means to express deep, profound, and truthful beauty. Music, in this context, is likened to a divine medium that allows us to communicate emotions and ideas beyond the constraints of everyday language. It serves as a universal language, capable of conveying complex sentiments and touching hearts in ways words often cannot. In essence, music is an art form that allows us to share truths about life, love, joy, sorrow, and all the complexities of human experience in a way that feels divine and beautiful.

"The great composers were not just musicians; they were poets, painters, and philosophers as well."

This quote suggests that great composers are multifaceted individuals who excel in various creative domains beyond mere music composition. They are also considered to be poets, expressing complex emotions through their musical works; painters, using melodies, harmonies, and rhythms as colors on a canvas; and philosophers, conveying ideas and themes through their compositions that resonate with listeners, stimulating thought and reflection.

"It's the old story - the more you give, the more you get."

This quote suggests that generosity and selflessness often lead to reciprocity or increased abundance. In essence, the more one gives (in terms of effort, time, kindness, etc.), the more they may receive in return - whether tangibly, emotionally, or spiritually. It is a reminder that investing in others can bring significant rewards, not just for oneself but also for those around us.

"One cannot really understand music until one has learned to play it oneself."

This quote suggests that true understanding of music comes not just from passive listening, but from active participation in its creation - namely, playing an instrument. The implication is that by learning to play music, one gains a deeper appreciation for its structure, nuances, and emotional impact. It posits that engaging directly with the process of making music enables a more profound connection to it, fostering a richer understanding and experience.

"All the best things in life are free. The air we breathe, the love of our family, and the beauty of the earth and skies - these are priceless."

This quote emphasizes that some of life's most valuable aspects, like clean air, loving relationships, and natural beauty, are invaluable and beyond monetary measure. It suggests that these essential elements of a fulfilling life should not be commodified or subjected to financial exploitation, as they hold immeasurable worth in our personal growth and happiness.

I am convinced that in the arts, committees are useless.

- Walter Legge

I Am, Useless, Convinced, Committees

I disliked singing in English and neither liked the story nor the character of Cressida.

- Walter Legge

Character, Singing, Nor, Disliked

Democracy is fatal for the arts; it leads only to chaos or the achievement of new and lower common denominators of quality.

- Walter Legge

Chaos, New, Common, Fatal

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