At our final rehearsal of a motet attributed to Bach (der gerechte kommt um), after the short orchestral intro our conductor (who I admire tremendously and who to the best of my knowledge is unlikely to read this) said something like "think more 'Miss Haversham and cobwebs'".

I think that's nice. He would probably be pleased to know he was quoted.... I would

I agree. It's excellent!


A few more conductor quotes:

“Can't you read? The score demands "con amore," and what are you doing? You are playing it like married men!”

“God tells me how the music should sound, but you stand in the way.”

"To some it is Napoleon, to some it is a philosophical struggle, to me it is allegro con brio.”


My favourites:
"Why are they playing Happy Birthday? I'm not conducting Happy Birthday. "
Igor Stravinsky

"Brass bands have their place. Outdoors and several miles away!"
Beecham

"If you take that bit you played up an octave down an octave, and that other bit you played down an octave up an octave I think it'll be all right. "
Geraldo


Steve

I like this one!

I like ALL of those



great!