A great many wise, witty, perceptive and provocative things have been said about classical music. About its power to move, to excite, to explore some of the most impenetrable recesses of the human condition. But also about what constitutes 'good' music, where we should draw the lines between imitation and plagiarism, and much more. Here are some of the best and most inspiring classical music quotes on record.
Best classical music quotes
We begin with a selection of observations on the power of music from composers, philosophers, one of the 20th century's greatest singer-songwriters, and more. Here is philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche musing on the central place of music in our existence. Elsewhere, Beethoven places music just where it belongs in the hierarchy of human knowledge and endeavour. Schumann defines an artist's essential duties. And Nina Simone is very clear about what label applies to the music she makes.
Without music, life would be a mistake.
- Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
- Composer Ludwig van Beethoven, reported in a letter from Bettina von Arnim to Goethe, 28 May 1810
To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.
- Composer Robert Schumann
Jazz is a white term to define black people. My music is black classical music.
- Singer-songwriter Nina Simone
More famous classical music quotes
Onwards, with some keen insights on classical music from conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, tenor Andrea Bocelli, author Leo Tolstoy and more.
Being an American musician means being adventurous.
- Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas
Extreme volume in music very often disguises a lack of actually important content.
- Michael Tilson Thomas, again
Popularity gets up people's noses. But I understand the importance and the function of popular music. (...) Popular music helps people to develop a curiosity and leads them towards classical music.
- Tenor Andrea Bocelli
Music is the shorthand of emotion. Emotions, which let themselves be described in words with such difficulty, are directly conveyed to man in music, and in that is its power and significance.
- Author Leo Tolstoy
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
- Author and philosopher Aldous Huxley
Music is the poetry of the air.
- German author Jean-Paul Richter (1763-1825)
Best classical music quotes: what did Oscar Wilde say about music?
Poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was well known for his witty and perceptive aperçus on everything from authenticity ('Be yourself; everyone else is already taken') to fame ('There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.'). He also had something perceptive to say about music, as you will see below.
Before we get there, though, there are thought-provoking observations on the nature of music, what moods it can and can't encompass, and the impossibility of writing about music (actually it is doable - trust us), from thoughtful souls including philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
Music is liquid architecture and architecture is frozen music.
- Author and polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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 fight for the legitimate right of laughter in ‘serious' music.
- Composer Dmitri Shostakovich
- 11 great Shostakovich quotes
- The politics of Dmitri Shostakovich
- Which is Shostakovich's best symphony?
Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.
- Unknown, possibly musical comedian Martin Mull
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
- Author Victor Hugo
Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory.
- Poet and playwright Oscar Wilde
I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame, I simply follow my own feelings.
- Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Art and life are not two separate things.
- Composer Felix Mendelssohn
Without craftmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.
- Composer Johannes Brahms
Inspiration is an awakening, a quickening of all man's faculties, and it is manifested in all high artistic achievements.
- Composer Giacomo Puccini
If we understood the world, we would realise that there is a logic of harmony underlying its manifold apparent dissonances.
- Composer Jean Sibelius
No particular culture seems to have a copyright on profound ideas about the world.
- Composer Philip Glass
Music is life and, like it, inextinguishable.
- Composer Carl Nielsen
My music is my portrait.
- Composer Francis Poulenc
