The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish. — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
I got myself into a lovely little shall we say controversy with André Breton, by pointing out that the discipline of spontaneity, which he… — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
Every composer's music reflects in its subject-matter and in its style the source of the money the composer is living on while writing the… — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
I let her alone and when she got that finished she left me alone. We trusted each other. — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization… — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise. — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
I listened to the pure crystalline notes of one of Mozart's concertos dropping at my feet like leaves from the trees. — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
I seem to write an opera about every 20 years; if you live long enough you can write four operas. I finished my third in 1970. — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
Verbal communication about music is impossible except among musicians. — Virgil Thomson Copy Share Image
