Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whethe…

- Virgil Thomson

You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.

- Virgil Thomson

I listened to the pure crystalline notes of one of Mozart's concertos dropping at my feet like leaves from the trees.

- Virgil Thomson

The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish.

- Virgil Thomson

I got myself into a lovely little shall we say controversy with André Breton, by pointing out that the discipline of spontaneity, which he was asking…

- Virgil Thomson

I seem to write an opera about every 20 years; if you live long enough you can write four operas. I finished my third in 1970.

- Virgil Thomson

I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Music itself is not going to let you down.

- Virgil Thomson

A libretto that should never have been accepted on a subject that should never have been chosen bya man who should never have attempted it.

- Virgil Thomson

Let your mind alone, and see what happens.

- Virgil Thomson