Aaron Copland

Inspiration may be a form of super-consciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness—I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

A great symphony is a man-made Mississippi down which we irresistibly flow from the instant of our leave-taking to a long forseen destination.

I adore extravagance but I abhor waste.

Every symphony, for example, is a sonata for orchestra; every string quartet is a sonata for four strings; every concerto a sonata for a solo instrument and orchestra.

Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness – I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

For me, the most important thing is the element of chance that is built into a live performance. The very great drawback of recorded sound is the fact that it is always the same. No matter how wonderful a recording is, I know that I couldn’t live with it–even of my own music–with the same nuances forever.

This is the time. This is the place. This is the vastness. Right here is paradise. Always. Always.

Not everything I write will be a masterpiece; I know that. It is a process selecting words to convey feelings never meant to be spoken. So maybe I’ve been searching for what’s already been said and this is the finest way I can say it. I love you, in everything I am, I love you.

You are mine, and that means I am on your side even when no one else is.

And of all the things I look forward to in life, falling in love with you is at the top of the list.

Only once in my life was I on the edge of incivility.

The best leaders are those most interested in surrounding themselves with assistants and associates smarter than they are. They are frank in admitting this and are willing to pay for such talents.

Since the past is unreal and the future is unreal, all your thoughts are about nothing.

When we remember that we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.

There is no greater impotence in all the world like knowing you are right and that the wave of the world is wrong, yet the wave crashes upon you.

The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is.

If I only had a little humility, I’d be perfect.

And you know, two heads are better than one.

Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.

A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.

Little difficulties are made to swell until they fill our horizon while the real big blessings of life are dwindled down to nothing.