Of course there is no formula for success, except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life, and what it brings
Arthur RubinsteinRead
Sometimes when I sit down to practice and there is no one else in the room, I have to stifle an impulse to ring for the elevator man and offer him money to come in and hear me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the deep desire for validation and connection in the pursuit of artistic expression.
Arthur Rubinstein's quote illustrates the loneliness that often accompanies the artistic journey. It conveys a longing for an audience even during the most solitary moments of practice, highlighting the importance of sharing one's art and the emotional fulfillment that comes from having someone to appreciate it. The impulse to 'ring for the elevator man' serves as a metaphor for the artist's yearning for connection and recognition, underscoring that art is not only a personal endeavor but also a communal experience.
Themes
ArtSolitudeValidationPracticeConnection
In practice
Example use cases
A musician may use this quote to express the need for an audience before a big performance.
More from Arthur Rubinstein
All quotes →Composing a concert is like composing a menu.... If you start with light pieces and play a 45-minute sonata after the interlude, it's like starting dinner with hors d'oeuvres and dessert and finishing with a Châteaubriand and vegetables.
Arthur RubinsteinRead
To be alive, to be able to see, to walk, to have houses, music, paintings - it's all a miracle. I have adopted the technique of living life miracle to miracle.
Arthur RubinsteinRead
At every concert I leave a lot to the moment. I must have the unexpected, the unforeseen. I want to risk, to dare. I want to be surprised by what comes out. I want to enjoy it more than the audience. That way the music can bloom anew. It's like making love. The act is always the same, but each time it's different.
Arthur RubinsteinRead
I'm a free person; I feel terribly free. They could put me in chains and I still would be free because my thoughts would be mine - and that's all I want to have.
Arthur RubinsteinRead
To be alive, to able to see, to walk...it's all a miracle. I have adapted the technique of living life from miracle to miracle.
Arthur RubinsteinRead
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