Virgil Thomson Quotes

• Musicians own music because music owns them.

  Virgil Thomson

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Own

• 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

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• A libretto that should never have been accepted on a subject that should never have been chosen by a man who should never have attempted it.

  Virgil Thomson

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• I’ve never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Music, Never, Know

• I let her alone and when she got that finished she left me alone. We trusted each other.

  Virgil Thomson

  Topics in Trust

  Tags in Finishing

• Let your mind alone, and see what happens.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Mind

• I look at you and I write down what I hear.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Write, Look

• I don’t go around regretting things that don’t happen.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Around

• You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Figure, Went

• I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Whenever, Whole

• I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Starve, Food

• Reviewing music or reviewing anything is a writing job. It’s nice if you are experienced in the field you are writing about, but writing is what you are doing.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Writing

• Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.

  Virgil Thomson

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Figure, Like

• In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise.

  Virgil Thomson

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  Tags in Learn

• I don’t care what other critics say, I only hope to be played.

  Virgil Thomson

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Care, Other

• I don’t have to worry No matter what they do to it, it works.

  Virgil Thomson

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Worry

Virgil Thomson (16)

Birth:	25th November, 1896
Death:	30th September, 1989
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Composer, Critic

About

Virgil Thomson was an American composer and critic. He was instrumental in the development of the "American Sound" in classical music.

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Today's Anniversary - 17th May

Births

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Deaths

• 1822 - Duc De Richelieu
• 2007 - Lloyd Alexander
• 1977 - Robert M. Hutchins
• 1994 - Nicolás Gómez Dávila
• 1913 - William Doane