Music is such a problem in the time it takes.

I think music has gone through a period of something very severe, rather radical, rather the way painting did with cubism.

I didn't have a record player.

I don't have ideas so much as there are things which constantly evolve... there are various threads or layers, if you like, which change.

When I was confronted with official tuition, the academic thing, I could see no relationship whatever between that and the music I'd been writing since I was 11.

The opera tells the story with all the built-in contradictions and from many different angles.

The theatre only knows what it's doing next week, not like the opera, where they say: 'What are we going to do in five years' time?' A completely different attitude.

People say my music is English. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's not me writing English music, but that English music is becoming more like me.

Minimalism now is a reaction to what came before. It's absolutely of its time. Music moved into the set theory thing, and moved out of it.

The thing about influence is that any composer worth anything will give you the same names.

My operas and my theatre works are very formal pieces.

Write as the wind blows and command all words like an army!

Nothing we ever imagined is beyond our powers, only beyond our present self-knowledge.

our earth is the most beautiful mother :)

Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.

I think the most important idea is to remember that there have been times throughout American history where what is right is not the same as what is legal.

Don't let your fear grow bigger than your faith.

In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans; in one aspect of You are found all the aspects of existence.

Freelance isn't for everyone - you've got to be aggressive and enjoy working alone. But you could make more money than you ever imagined.

To be perfectly honest, drama is a lot simpler than comedy.

Alzheimer's disease locks all the doors and exits. There is no reprieve, no escape.