Top 7 Quotes by Charles Rosen

The death of classical music is perhaps its oldest continuing tradition.

The death of classical music is perhaps its oldest continuing tradition.

Tradition, Classical Music, Music Is

Charles Rosen (2001). “Critical Entertainments”, p.295, Harvard University Press

Beethoven in c minor has come to symbolize his artistic character...where he seems to be most impatient of any compromise.

Charles Rosen

Character, Artistic, Compromise

Stage fright, like epilepsy, is a divine ailment, a sacred madness... It is a grace that is sufficient in the old Jesuit sense - that is, insufficient by itself but a necessary condition for success.

Charles Rosen

Epilepsy, Anxiety, Grace

Even Stravinsky does not evoke the same public affection as Verdi.

Charles Rosen

Doe, Affection, Evoke

Charles Rosen (2002). “Piano Notes: The World of the Pianist”, p.231, Simon and Schuster

The belief may be too often mistaken, but the illusion of coming into direct contact with the past is intoxicating and persuasive, and can result in an interpretation that carries conviction. Sometimes confidence is all that's needed.

Charles Rosen

Confidence, Past, May

A love of classical music is only partially a natural response to hearing the works performed, it also must come about by a decision to listen carefully, to pay close attention, a decision inevitably motivated by the cultural and social prestige of the art.

Charles Rosen

Art, Decision, Attention

Charles Rosen (2002). “Piano Notes: The World of the Pianist”, p.236, Simon and Schuster