Dmitri Shostakovich Quotes

17 quotes in 298 categories

• Football is the ballet of the masses. Ballet
• The best way to hold on to something is to pay no attention to it. The things you love too much perish. You have to… Attention
• We should think more about it, and accustom ourselves to the thought of death. We can't allow the fear of death to creep up on… Accustom
• What can be considered human emotions? Surely not only lyricism, sadness, tragedy? Doesn't laughter also have a claim to that lofty title? I want to… Claim
• When a man is in despair, it means that he still believes in something. Believe
• I always try to make myself as widely understood as possible; and if I don't succeed, I consider it my own fault. Always Try
• I write music, it’s performed. After all, my music says it all. It doesn’t need historical and hysterical commentaries. In the long run, any words… All
• Real music is always revolutionary, for it cements the ranks of the people; it arouses them and leads them onward. Always Revolutionary
• If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth. Both
• A great piece of music is beautiful regardless of how it is performed. Any prelude or fugue of Bach can be played at any tempo,… Any
• The majority of my symphonies are tombstones. Inspirational
• Music is a means capable of expressing dark dramatism and pure rapture, suffering and ecstasy, fiery and cold fury, melancholy and wild merriment – and… Capable
• What you have in your head, put down on paper. The head is a fragile vessel. Down
• Every piece of music is a form of personal expression for its creator...If a work doesnt express the composers own personal point of view, his… Born
• In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music. Any
• Stravinsky the composer I worship. Stravinsky the thinker I despise. Composer
• A creative artist works on his next composition because he was not satisfied with his previous one. Art

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