Vladimir Horowitz Quotes

Piano playing consists of common sense, heart and technical resources. All three should be equally developed. Without common sense you are a fiasco, without technique an amateur, without heart a machine. The profession does have its hazards.

I must tell you I take terrible risks. Because my playing is very clear, when I make a mistake you hear it. If you want me to play only the notes without any specific dynamics, I will never make one mistake. Never be afraid to dare.

Perfection itself is imperfection.

There are three kinds of pianists: Jewish pianists, homosexual pianists, and bad pianists.

False notes [on the piano] are human. Why does everything have to be perfect? You know, perfection itself is imperfection.

Everyone goes to the forest; some go for a walk to be inspired, and others go to cut down the trees.

Your mind must control, but you must have heart . . . . Give your feeling free.

Played percussively, the piano is a bore. If I go to a concert and someone plays like that I have two choices: go home or go to sleep. The goal is to make the piano sing, sing, sing.

I have no style, because I change each time . . . each day I play differently. Today I play differently than yesterday.

The piano is an orchestra with 88...... things, you know

My future is in my past and my past is my present. I must now make the present my future.

If you want me to play only the notes without any specific dynamics, I will never make one mistake.

My face is my passport.