Eugene Ormandy Quotes

Music is all about leadership and there ain't really a lot of leaders.

I'm a band dictator.

Today, conducting is a question of ego: a lot of people believe they are actually playing the music.

A conductor should reconcile himself to the realization that regardless of his approach or temperament the eventual result is the same-the orchestra will hate him.

I worked with a group of people who argued day and night - professors, officials, the Minister of Finance - but there were decisions that I had to make.

Well, I don't have anything to say to Mr. Sneddon, you know? Nothing at all.

Conducting is a strange thing to teach.

If we could just find out who's in charge, we could kill him.

I feel so entirely in my element with a full orchestra; even if my mortal enemies were marshalled before me, I could lead them, master them, surround them, or repulse them.

I mean, the great secret is that an orchestra can actually play without a conductor at all. Of course, a great conductor will have a concept and will help them play together and unify them.

I think it's a very important collaboration between the conductor and the orchestra - especially when the conductor is one more member of the orchestra in the way that you are leading, but also respecting, feeling and building the same way for all the players to understand the music.

I'm not a great band member; I'm more of a band leader.

Design is not so much a design issue as a power struggle.

I'm having a blast being the music director at the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. It certainly is challenging for me, but I love challenges.

It's good to have a leader, otherwise we argue too much.

The musicians one day are going to listen to me.

The proper study of Man is anything but Man; and the most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any rate were at least unwilling to take it on), is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.

On the other hand, when I give it closer thought, I realize I'm not enough of a dictator to conduct an orchestra because it requires a pretty awful person. When you read these biographies of famous conductors, they are all awful people who fail in their private relationships.

I would no more admit the rebels to control these States than I would sail a ship with the mutinous part of a crew, and confine those who were faithful to the captain in the hold or put them in irons.

They have the marshals, I have the Army.

You must either conquer and rule or lose and serve, suffer or triumph, and be the anvil or the hammer.

The tyrant is always stirring up some war or another, in order that the people may require a leader.

Nothing can be imagined better, or more perfect, than the administration of a virtuous man. Besides, when a single man is master, it is more difficult for the enemy to discover his secret counsels and resolutions. When the government is in the hands of many, it is impossible but enmity and hatred must arise among them; for, as every one desires his opinion to be followed, they gradually become mutual enemies

If I accept the job, you will still interfere. I don’t want to fall out with you, as I believe that you are the right man to save the nation at the head of the army.

Argue as you please, you are nowhere, that grand old man, the Prime Minister, insists on the other thing.