My First Great Teacher - Pablo Casals

I am a man first, an artist second. As a man, my first

obligation is to the welfare of my fellow men. I will endeavor to

meet this obligation through music--the means which God

has given me--since it transcends language, politics

and national boundaries. My contribution to world peace

may be small, but at least I will have given all I can to an ideal

I hold sacred. -- Pablo Casals.

There is, of course, no substitute for work. I myself

practice constantly, as I have all of my life. I have been

told I play the cello with the ease of a bird flying.

I do not know with how much effort a bird learns to fly,

but I do know what effort has gone into my cello.

What seems ease of performance comes from the greatest labor.

-- Pablo Casals.