Great Throughts Treasury

"Art is not an end in itself, but a means of addressing humanity."

"Thanks to nanny, I’ve got a deep understanding of Russian tales. This deep feeling for the soul of common people; their life became the main impulse for musical improvisation before I learned the basics in piano."

"Life, wherever it reveals itself; truth, no matter how bitter; bold, sincere speech with people—these are my leaven, these are what I want, this is where I am afraid of missing the mark."