God tells me how the music should sound, but “you” stand in the way. (to a member of his orchestra)

After conducting a concert in a small town, I once received the following note from a farmer who had attended the performance: “Dear Sir, I wish to inform you that the man who played the long thing you pull in and out only did so during the brief periods you were looking at him.”

Soprano: “I must insist, Maestro, that my way is right. Remember, I am a star.” Toscanini: “The only stars I recognize, Madam, are in heaven. Down here, we are all workers in the cause of music.”