Alfred Cortot: Musician

Alfred Cortot was Franco-Swiss pianist and conductor. Explore interesting quotes on musician.

Alfred Cortot: 8 quotes5 likes

“Russian students? you ask. Yes, we have white Russians but not the Soviets. They have a wonderful school of their own which has produced superb musicians such as Sviatoslav Richter, Oistrakh, and Rostropovich. Those Russians that we have here chose freedom, but their Slavic temperament manifests itself just the same, and they have a marked talent for music.”

in "Visit with Alfred Cortot" by Alexander Kosloff, Music Educators Journal (Feb.-Mar., 1962)

“Infant prodigies do not necessarily become great musicians. I have had over three thousand pupils, and I am convinced that the proficiency which some display is no more than a manifestation of dexterity and an extraordinary natural imitative faculty of children.”

"Do Infant Prodigies Become Great Musicians?", Music & Letters (Apr., 1935)

“The musician's technique, in fact, should be as protean as the actor's. The best method of attaining this is by combining the qualities of the artist and the technician. To do this it is essential, that in addition to concentrating upon musical technique, one should keep in touch with the other arts. They provide that general culture to the musician without which he will never become a great artist.”

"Do Infant Prodigies Become Great Musicians?", Music & Letters (Apr., 1935)