Always make the audience suffer as much as possible.
—Alfred Hitchcock
One of Vladimir de Pachmann's favorite tricks before a recital was to play about with the piano stool, adjusting and readjusting it, until the audience became desperate. Then he would rush into the wings to fetch a large book, place it on the seat, and try that. He would indicate that all was still not satisfactory and would tear one page from the book and try again.
—Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes
There are wonderful things in real jazz, the talent for improvisation, the liveliness, the being at one with the audience.
—Henri Matisse
In reality art is always for everyone and for no one.
—Eugenio Montale
I was afraid no one would laugh, and I wanted to pretend I wasn't noticing the audience. I didn't want the audience to get the idea I was telling a joke and waiting for a laugh.
—Mort Saul