Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not. – Virgil Thomson
I’ve never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down. – Virgil Thomson
I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can. – Virgil Thomson
In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise. – Virgil Thomson
I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good. – Virgil Thomson
Reviewing music or reviewing anything is a writing job. It’s nice if you are experienced in the field you are writing about, but writing is what you are doing. – Virgil Thomson
