Famous quotes by Composers

Explore reflections from composers whose craft shapes the soundtrack of our lives. These voices span eras, styles, and cultures, illuminating the discipline, curiosity, and courage behind creating music. Whether they speak about inspiration, structure, collaboration, or silence, their words resonate with anyone seeking creativity and meaning. Dip into insights that reveal how themes are forged, risks embraced, and audiences moved. Let these perspectives accompany your listening, your work, and your moments of stillness, offering perspective from minds tuned to the art of composition.

"Music is the silence between the notes"

Claude Debussy, Composer

Claude Debussy

"Never look at the trombones. You'll only encourage them"

Richard Strauss, Composer

"When everyone is somebody, then no one's anybody"

William Gilbert, Composer

William Gilbert

"I have nothing to say, I am saying it, and that is poetry"

John Cage, Composer

John Cage

"I believe that there are still people who believe that game music is something equal to just an effect incorporated into the game, something like a BGM. And therefore this is something that I would like to show that is not true"

Nobuo Uematsu, Composer

Nobuo Uematsu

"Nice is different than good"

Stephen Sondheim, Composer

Stephen Sondheim

"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing"

John Powell, Composer

John Powell

"People in very high places suddenly fall, and we are always surprised because we don't factor in the basic element that they're humans and, therefore, they are flawed and have weaknesses"

Carlisle Floyd, Composer

"Works of art make rules; rules do not make works of art"

Claude Debussy, Composer

Claude Debussy

"I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin"

Oscar Levant, Composer

Oscar Levant

"Behind the phony tinsel of Hollywood lies the real tinsel"

Oscar Levant, Composer

Oscar Levant

"Communication works for those who work at it"

John Powell, Composer

John Powell

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line"

Oscar Levant, Composer

Oscar Levant

"Joy is not in things; it is in us"

Richard Wagner, Composer

Richard Wagner

"It's a blast to watch. It's a lot more interesting live than it is on record. I mean, it really is a theatrical event. It's a sporting event! Cause you never know what's gonna happen"

John Zorn, Composer

John Zorn

"Hell begins on the day when God grants us a clear vision of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts which we have wasted, of all that we might have done which we did not do"

Gian Carlo Menotti, Composer

"However, very recently I have come to an understanding that complex music is not necessarily pleasant"

Nobuo Uematsu, Composer

Nobuo Uematsu

"The real composer thinks about his work the whole time; he is not always conscious of this, but he is aware of it later when he suddenly knows what he will do"

Igor Stravinsky, Composer

Igor Stravinsky

"I worked hard. Anyone who works as hard as I did can achieve the same results"

Johannes Sebastian Bach, Composer

"Music is organized sound"

Edgard Varese, Composer

Edgard Varese

"For myself, I can only say that I am astonished and somewhat terrified at the results of this evening's experiments. Astonished at the wonderful power you have developed, and terrified at the thought that so much hideous and bad music may be put on record forever"

Arthur Sullivan, Composer

"If you wish in this world to advance your merits you're bound to enhance; you must stir it and stump it, and blow your own trumpet, or, trust me, you haven't a chance"

William Gilbert, Composer

William Gilbert

"Imagination creates reality"

Richard Wagner, Composer

Richard Wagner

"Wagner is a composer who has beautiful moments but awful quarter hours"

Gioachino Rossini, Composer

"We hope that eventually there would be an occasion which I can personally prove that game music can in fact impress many different people and move them"

Nobuo Uematsu, Composer

Nobuo Uematsu

"As you may know my use of Celtic music is extremely simple and short. However there is something about it that will remain in your mind for a long, long time"

Nobuo Uematsu, Composer

Nobuo Uematsu

"There's some familiarity in Celtic music, even if you've never heard that piece of music before"

Nobuo Uematsu, Composer

Nobuo Uematsu

"I guess many game music fans prefer original soundtrack albums"

Nobuo Uematsu, Composer

Nobuo Uematsu

"And it's very strange, but I think there is something very common - not only in Celtic music - but there is a factor or element in Celtic music that is similar in music that we find in Japan, the United States, Europe, and even China and other Asian countries"

Nobuo Uematsu, Composer

Nobuo Uematsu

"A good composer does not imitate; he steals"

Igor Stravinsky, Composer

Igor Stravinsky

Page 1 of 47

See the complete list of composer people

We use cookies and local storage to personalize content, analyze traffic, and provide social media features. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media and analytics partners. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our Privacy Policy.