“I decided then and there that the symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms were the only music for me, not the music of this crazy Russian. … My one desire was to flee that room and find a quiet corner in which to rest my aching head. Then Diaghilev turned to me and with a smile said, "This is a masterpiece, Monteux, which will completely revolutionize music and make you famous, because you are going to conduct it." And, of course, I did.”
“I regret they don't have symphony orchestras all over the world so I could see Burma and Samarkand.”
Pierre Monteux
“Debussy was behind me when we played L'après-midi d'un faune because he did not want anything in his score to be changed on account of the dancing. And when we came to a forte, he said 'Monteux, that ...”
Pierre Monteux
“'E does not know 'is métier.”
Pierre Monteux
“Stravinsky, 'e can do what 'e like, but I have to do what ze composer 'as written.”
Pierre Monteux
“Now that was very impressive. But before you try to impress the ladies in the balcony, make sure the horns come in.”
Pierre Monteux