"I've been a woman for a little over 50 years and have gotten over my initial astonishment. As for conducting an orchestra, that's a job where I don't think sex plays much part."

"Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece."

"Do not take up music unless you would rather die than not do so."

"Loving a child doesn't mean giving in to all his whims; to love him is to bring out the best in him, to teach him to love what is difficult."

"Everything we know by heart enriches us and helps us find ourselves. If it should get in the way of finding ourselves, it is because we have no personality."

"The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion."

"A great work is made out of a combination of obedience and liberty."