Category: Quotes on Music

"We put up the fancy spires first... "

"...I see my life in terms of music"
- Albert Einstein

"Real art is one of the most powerful forces in the rise of mankind, and he who renders it accessible to as many people as possible is a benefactor of humanity." - Zoltán Kodály, 1954

"And I would advise my young colleagues, the composers of symphonies, to drop in sometimes at the kindergarten, too. It is there that it is decided whether there will be anybody to understand their works in twenty years' time." - Zoltán Kodály, 1957

"You just have to press the right keys..."

"To write a folksong is as much beyond the bounds of possibility as to write a proverb. Just as proverbs condense centuries of popular wisdom and observation, so, in traditional songs, the emotions of centuries are immortalized in a form polished to perfection." - Zoltán Kodály, 1941

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents." ‐ Beethoven (1770-1827)

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true music but a diabolical bawling and twanging." - J. S.. Bach (1685-1750)

"Tonality is a natural force..."

"The characteristics of a good musician can be summarized as follows: 1. A well-trained ear. 2. A well-trained intelligence. 3. A well-trained heart. 4. A well-trained hand. All four must develop together, in constant equilibrium. As soon as one lags behind or rushes ahead, there is something wrong. So far most of you have met only the requirement of the fourth point: the training of your fingers has left the rest far behind. You would have achieved the same results more quickly and easily, however, if your training in the other three had kept pace." (1954)

Janis Laurs

"Micheál McCarthy is an outstanding teacher, conductor and musical facilitator. The training that he provides produce a well-equipped, intelligent, thinking, musician's musician. If there was a Micheál McCarthy in every school, what an exciting and wonderfully enriched place Australia would be!"

Ian Munro

"Ever since we were colleagues at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, where I witnessed his remarkably transformative and inspirational teaching, I have regarded Micheál McCarthy as one of the finest choral directors I know. ...In all, a superb musician for whom I have the utmost respect."

Piroska Varga

“Micheál McCarthy is one of those rare teachers that is capable of working with any age, always inspiring them to produce their best in any conditions.... he does it with flair, with high standards, with amazing results, with love, care and a great sense of humour. He is truly, one of a kind as a teacher, musician [&] performer.”

Sara Macliver

“Many times I have been asked by family, friends and colleagues where to send their kids for music lessons. I always answer, "Cottage Music with Micheál McCarthy!" I could not think of a better start in your child's musical journey than Micheál’s classes!”

Simone de Haan

"Micheál McCarthy stands out as one of Australia’s foremost Aural and Musicianship teachers... he sustains this through his empathetic teaching style, his extensive experience as an educator and an uncompromising commitment to his own ongoing professional and musical development."

Patricia Murphy

“Bewitchery and beguilery is what I experienced as I sat and watched a master teacher at work... Micheál cajoled and kept those children so interested in the fun they were having that I think they were unaware that they were achieving such high levels of musicianship and musical knowledge!”

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