Quotes and One Liners

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

I don’t mean to make you nervous, but unfortunately I have to.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

There is a number missing; I can see it.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Without him here, it is impossible to know how fast he will play it, approximately.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Someone came too sooner.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Even when you are not playing you are holding me back.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Misspokements Music Conducting

Why do you always insist on playing while I’m trying to conduct?

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Entertainment Misspokements Music Conducting

With us tonight is William Warfield, who is with us tonight; he is a wonderful man, and so is his wife.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

It is not as difficult as I thought it was, but it is harder than it is.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

I told him he’d have a heart attack a year ago, but unfortunately he lived a year longer.

Health Misspokements On the death of David Oistrakh

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

I never say what I mean, but I always manage to say something similar.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Let me explain what I do here; I don’t want to confuse you any more than absolutely necessary.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Misspokements Confusion

I am thinking it right but beating it wrong.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Entertainment Misspokements Music Conducting

Congratulations to each and every one of you for the concert last night in New York and vice versa.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Bizet was a very young man when he composed this symphony, so play it softly.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Thank you for your cooperation and vice versa.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Who is sitting in that empty chair?

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Write it down in your own handwriting.

Communication Misspokements Reading/Writing

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Tonight I’m going to listen with my ears.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Entertainment Misspokements Music Listening

Serkin was so sick he almost died for three days.

(1899 – 1985) Hungarian-born conductor & violinist

Death Health Misspokements Illness

It’s difficult to remember when you haven’t played it before.