"I don't believe that a lot of the things I hear on the air today are going to be played for as long a time as Coleman Hawkins records or Brahms concertos"

In this quote, Oscar Peterson is expressing his belief that much of the music being played on the radio today will not achieve the very same level of durability as traditional recordings by jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins or classical composer Johannes Brahms. Peterson appears to be recommending that much of today's music does not have the classic quality and long-lasting appeal of music from earlier periods. This might be analyzed as either a review of modern music or an appreciation for the long-lasting quality of classic recordings. Overall, Peterson's remark highlights the value of quality and durability in music, and the concept that the very best music will continue to be taken pleasure in for generations to come.