"The message of music was also the first thing what I learned from my first teacher. She was an organist too and she was very devoted to what she played, so she had a respect for every piece and she felt that she is not allowed to add something of her own"

Kurt Masur's quote talks to the importance of respecting the music one plays. His very first instructor was an organist who was committed to her craft and had a deep respect for each piece she played. She believed that it was not her location to add her own personal touches to the music, but rather to play it as it was written. This message of regard for the music was the first thing Masur gained from his instructor. It is a lesson that has stayed with him throughout his career and has actually been a significant influence on his approach to music. Masur's quote is a tip that music ought to be appreciated and valued for what it is, and that it is not our place to alter it.