Fly like a bird, not like a Boeing!

As a member of the Cardiff branch of the U3A, my mother belongs to a Prose and Poetry group who exchange insights and instances with one another, taking turns. The subject of their October session is "Hobbies," and Mum has chosen 'cello-playing as the hobby she's going to present to the rest of the group. Although she doesn't play the 'cello herself, she wishes she had learned. She has shown me her quotations from the 'cellist, Paul Tortelier, whom she saw on TV during the broadcast of a master-class he was giving (some thirty years ago). Impressed by what she was hearing, she had jotted down and kept these quotations in her notebook. Here are a few examples of what Tortelier said, in his memorable French accent:

• If they knew how joyful it is to play the 'cello, all the world would play the 'cello.

• Breathe inside the music, not out of it.

• You must fly like a bird, not like a Boeing! You must have contrast. Variety is what the world lacks; it is all mechanism and monotony.

• [This music] is too beautiful to talk about. It is a mystery. Mystery should not be talked about. I have talked too much.