I write music, it’s performed. After all, my music says it all. It doesn’t need historical and hysterical commentaries. In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music.
Dmitri ShostakovichRead
If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the determination to create art regardless of obstacles.
Dmitri Shostakovich's quote reflects the indomitable spirit of an artist who is willing to overcome any physical limitations or challenges to express themselves creatively. It illustrates the profound commitment to one’s craft, suggesting that true passion for art transcends adversity and is driven by an enduring desire to create, no matter the circumstances.
Themes
MusicDeterminationArtOvercomingCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about resilience in the arts, one could quote Shostakovich to illustrate unwavering dedication.
More from Dmitri Shostakovich
All quotes →What you have in your head, put down on paper. The head is a fragile vessel.
Dmitri ShostakovichRead
Real music is always revolutionary, for it cements the ranks of the people; it arouses them and leads them onward.
Dmitri ShostakovichRead
When a man is in despair, it means that he still believes in something.
Dmitri ShostakovichRead
The best way to hold on to something is to pay no attention to it. The things you love too much perish. You have to treat everything with irony, especially the things you hold dear. There's more of a chance then that they'll survive.
Dmitri ShostakovichRead
Football is the ballet of the masses.
Dmitri ShostakovichRead
Similar quotes
I think if you're writing a play, it should be its own end game; you'll never get to do a good one unless you know it's not a blueprint for a film; you're not going to get the action right and the story right.
Martin McdonaghRead
When I sit down to write a song, it's a kind of improvisation, but I formalize it a bit to get it into the studio, and when I step up to a microphone, I have a vague idea of what I'm about to do.
Paul MccartneyRead
It's the first time in the history of the world that creatives are also distributors. And that's very profound if you think that up until the recent history, permission was required for us to be able to share work at any sort of scale. We had to get permission from galleries, from ad agencies or photo editors to be able to have our work out there. And now anybody with access to a computer can show their work in 200 countries around the world.
Chase JarvisRead
I'm not responsible for my photographs. Photography is not documentary, but intuition, a poetic experience. It's drowning yourself, dissolving yourself, and then sniff, sniff, sniff - being sensitive to coincidence. You can't go looking for it; you can't want it, or you won't get it. First you must lose your self. Then it happens.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
The radio makes hideous sounds.
Bob DylanRead
An artist's job is to surprise himself. Use all means possible.
Robert HenriRead