The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm
—Leonard Bernstein
To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.
—Leonard Bernstein
Topics: Achievement
Technique is communication: the two words are synonymous in conductors.
—Leonard Bernstein
Topics: Talent
The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies and his life just to make sure that one note follows another… and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world.
—Leonard Bernstein
Topics: Music
Music, because of its specific and far-reaching metaphorical powers, can name the unnamable and communicate the unknowable.
—Leonard Bernstein
Topics: Communication, One liners, Music
When the thunder rumbles,
Now the age of gold is dead.
When the dreams we’ve clung to
Trying to stay young,
Have left us parched and old instead.
When my courage crumbles,
When I feel confused and frail,
When my spirit falters on decaying altars
And my illusions fail—
I go on right then.
I go on again.
I go on to say I will celebrate another day.
I go on.
If tomorrow tumbles
And everything I love is gone,
I will face regret all my days, and yet
I will still go on.
—Leonard Bernstein
Topics: Determination
Presenting the cork is wine nonsense, a ritual invented by captains and sommeliers. The wine snob does not resent ritual. There is infinite ritual in the etiquette of serving wine. But most of it at least hints at style or purpose. Placing an unsightly cork on the tablecloth hints at absurdity.
—Leonard Bernstein
Inspiration is wonderful when it happens, but the writer must develop an approach for the rest of the time
—Leonard Bernstein
I think it is time we learned the lesson of our century: that the progress of the human spirit must keep pace with technological and scientific progress, or that spirit will die. It is incumbent on our educators to remember this; and music is at the top of the spiritual must list. When the study of the arts leads to the adoration of the formula (heaven forbid), we shall be lost. But as long as we insist on maintaining artistic vitality, we are able to hope in man
—Leonard Bernstein
Topics: Music
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