(Taken from “Homage to Cziffra–Journal of a Friendship, by Adoph Bohm”, translated from the original French by John Hornsby)
“The only way for all of us is to remain together, to live and strive for the love of those who have gone on ahead and for those who have remained behind, as we move forward in the direction of truth and light.”
“Naturally I believe in an after-life, however, I would never do anything with some future reward in mind. That would be calculating and degrading.”
“Only the feeble retaliate. I’m always peaceful towards my fellow human beings. The only person in the world I fight with is myself.”
“Never use a metronome. The tempo should be set by your own understanding of the score.”
“I like to do my best for all geniuses, providing it lies within my capabilities. Apart from that, I have no preferences. I love playing all works of genius. As for what I said about Beethoven, I feel I’m not up to such a great composer. The same goes for Mozart. Rather than play them badly I don’t play them at all. I leave them to others.” (note–this quote is from 1967)
“We have to reach a certain level before we realize how small we are.”
“Absolute perfection isn’t necessarily a criterion–even if absolute perfection does exist, giving something of oneself is a form of artistic quest. It is my mission to bring joy to listeners.”
“Maestro Cziffra, do you do yoga?”
“Of course, madam, at the piano!”
(after receiving a bad review from critic Joachim Kaiser):
“I’m used to little mongrels like him. I bring joy to my listeners, and that’s all that counts. I play for them, not the critics. And now, I’m off to see Herr Kaiser to ask him for piano lessons!”
“You must have suffered a gread deal in your life to interpret the Sonata [Chopin 2nd] like that.”
“It’s the price one has to pay.”
“You know, my friend, the day when I can’t play any more…” [and he pointed an imaginary pistol to his temple]
“My piano has been until now my very self, my words, my life, in which I have confided all my thoughts since the most ardent days of my youth; all my desires, dreams, joys and sorrows were found in it. Its strings have shuddered under all my passions, its submissive keys obeyed my every whim.” [paraphrased from 
's original statement]
and finally:
“Cziffra? Isn’t he the chap who can play faster than anyone else?” 
koji
