Top 77 Quotes & Sayings by Eugene Ormandy

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American musician Eugene Ormandy.

Last updated on December 25, 2024.

Eugene Ormandy was a Hungarian-born American conductor and violinist, best known for his association with the Philadelphia Orchestra, as its music director. His 44-year association with the orchestra is one of the longest enjoyed by any conductor with any American orchestra. Ormandy made numerous recordings with the orchestra, and as guest conductor with European orchestras, and achieved three gold records and two Grammy Awards. His reputation was as a skilled technician and expert orchestral builder.

American - Musician | November 18, 1899 - March 12, 1985

Source: Wikipedia

I told him he'd have a heart attack a year ago, but unfortunately he lived a year longer.

Eugene Ormandy

If you don't have it in your part, leave it out, because there is enough missing already.

Eugene Ormandy

Death is an awful thing. I don't believe in it myself.

Eugene Ormandy

I'm one of the boys, no better than the last second violinist. I'm just the lucky one to be standing in the center, telling them how to play.

Eugene Ormandy

During the rests - pray.

Eugene Ormandy

It is not as difficult as I thought it was, but it is harder than it is.

Eugene Ormandy

I never say what I mean, but I always manage to say something similar.

Eugene Ormandy

It's all very well to have principles, but when it comes to money you have to be flexible.

Eugene Ormandy

Why do you always insist on playing while I'm trying to conduct?

Eugene Ormandy

Beauty is less important than quality.

Eugene Ormandy

It's hot as hell as can be.

Eugene Ormandy

The notes are right, but if I listened they would be wrong.

Eugene Ormandy

I wrote it the right way, so it was copied the wrong way right. I mean the right way wrong.

Eugene Ormandy

Even when you are not playing you are holding me back.

Eugene Ormandy

There is a shadow on every page.

Eugene Ormandy

I don't mean to make you nervous, but unfortunately I have to.

Eugene Ormandy

It is not together, but the ensemble is perfect.

Eugene Ormandy

Let me explain what I do here. I don't want to confuse you any more than absolutely necessary.

Eugene Ormandy

Tonight I'm going to listen with my ears.

Eugene Ormandy

I can conduct better than I count.

Eugene Ormandy

With us tonight is William Warfield, who is with us tonight. He is a wonderful man, and so is his wife.

Eugene Ormandy

Bizet was a very young man when he composed this symphony, so play it softly.

Eugene Ormandy

We do not know when he is coming. He is coming tomorrow.

Eugene Ormandy

I'm conducting slowly because I don't know the tempo.

Eugene Ormandy

I am thinking it right but beating it wrong.

Eugene Ormandy

Without him here, it is impossible to know how fast he will play it, approximately.

Eugene Ormandy

There is a number missing. I can see it.

Eugene Ormandy

I always feel I do it too slow, but then others do it faster.

Eugene Ormandy

Long note? Yes. Make it seem short.

Eugene Ormandy

This is one bar you should take home.

Eugene Ormandy

More basses, because you are so far away.

Eugene Ormandy

Yes, the mutes are already on. You took them off in the beginning.

Eugene Ormandy

It has no rhythm, but it will because it's so much faster.

Eugene Ormandy

Brass, stay down all summer.

Eugene Ormandy

Something went wrong. It was correct when I studied it.

Eugene Ormandy

Mahler wrote it as the third movement of his Fourth Symphony. I mean the fourth movement of his First Symphony. We play it third. The trumpet solo will be played by our solo trumpet player. It's named 'Blumine,' which has something to do with flowers.

Eugene Ormandy

I can see none of you are smugglers; that's why it's so loud.

Eugene Ormandy

Why do you always start after my beat then rush to catch up? Do you want us to stay behind?

Eugene Ormandy

Please follow me because I have to follow him and he isn't here.

Eugene Ormandy

Congratulations to each and every one of you for the concert last night in New York and vice versa.

Eugene Ormandy

We can't hear the balance yet because the soloist is still on the airplane.

Eugene Ormandy

Suddenly I was in the right tempo - but it wasn't.

Eugene Ormandy

Don't ever follow me, because I am difficult.

Eugene Ormandy

We have to play it longer because there are no numbers or letters.

Eugene Ormandy

It's difficult to remember when you haven't played it before.

Eugene Ormandy

Accelerando means in tempo. Don't rush.

Eugene Ormandy

Let's start at 35 because I don't know where it is.

Eugene Ormandy

I need one more bass less.

Eugene Ormandy

Write it down in your own handwriting.

Eugene Ormandy

Who is sitting in that empty chair?

Eugene Ormandy

I know this music from memory, not from the music.

Eugene Ormandy

That's the way Stravinsky was. Bup, bup, bup, bup. The poor guy's dead now. Play it legato.

Eugene Ormandy

Thank you for your cooperation and vice versa.

Eugene Ormandy

After two minutes after this time, and I am already there.

Eugene Ormandy

Intonation is important, especially when it is cold.

Eugene Ormandy

There was confusion since I stood here 35 years ago.

Eugene Ormandy

I was trying to help you, so I was beating wrong.

Eugene Ormandy

[conductor Eugene Ormandy introduces Warfield to the audience in an unintentionally humorous way:] With us tonight is William Warfield, who is with us tonight. He is a wonderful man, and so is his wife.

Eugene Ormandy

At every concert I've sensed a certain insecurity about the tempo. It's clearly marked 80...uh, 69.

Eugene Ormandy

I conduct faster so you can see my beat.

Eugene Ormandy