Top Composer Quotes
If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.
Gustav Mahler
Originally, I wanted to be a composer. I always tell people, 'I think of myself as a composer.'
Ornette Coleman
I am not so complicated or intelligent a composer, nor am I very interested in becoming so. I am much more happy doing what I know I can do than what I am not sure I could do.
Giorgio Moroder
Which is why, in my lieder concerts, I always strove, when possible, to sing only the works of a single composer, so that the audience could be gradually drawn into a particular creative genius' way of thinking, and could follow him.
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Because I have sixty years of being a professional composer, conductor, musician, whatever, and you develop a lot of friendships and you get involved with a lot of sort of long-term commitments and obligations.
Gunther Schuller
All Composer Quotes
If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.
Gustav Mahler 
85% of people like this quote
Originally, I wanted to be a composer. I always tell people, 'I think of myself as a composer.'
Ornette Coleman 
62% of people like this quote
I am not so complicated or intelligent a composer, nor am I very interested in becoming so. I am much more happy doing what I know I can do than what I am not sure I could do.
Giorgio Moroder 
61% of people like this quote
Which is why, in my lieder concerts, I always strove, when possible, to sing only the works of a single composer, so that the audience could be gradually drawn into a particular creative genius' way of thinking, and could follow him.
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau 
61% of people like this quote
Because I have sixty years of being a professional composer, conductor, musician, whatever, and you develop a lot of friendships and you get involved with a lot of sort of long-term commitments and obligations.
Gunther Schuller 
60% of people like this quote
It's understanding the intention of a composer that allows a producer and an arranger to make those moments speak.
Michael Bolton 
59% of people like this quote
I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer.
Richard Strauss 
57% of people like this quote
I was meant to be a composer and will be I'm sure. Don't ask me to try to forget this unpleasant thing and go play football - please.
Samuel Barber 
57% of people like this quote
A nation creates music - the composer only arranges it.
Mikhail Glinka 
57% of people like this quote
Popular Composer Authors
Dirk BenedictGustav MahlerCarter BurwellCharles KetteringKate SmithEsa-Pekka SalonenAnsel AdamsOrnette ColemanMichael BoltonDanny ElfmanCarlisle FloydCecilia BartoliGraeme MurphyIgor StravinskyHarrison Birtwistle
Cornelia FunkeLeo OrnsteinJohn Philip SousaElvis CostelloDietrich Fischer-DieskauGavin BryarsKurt MasurFrank ZappaJohn ZornIvor NovelloFranz SchubertDavid AmramElliott CarterJohn EatonFred Frith
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Hector Berlioz
Samuel Barber
John Zorn