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.

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.

Music is such a problem in the time it takes.

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.

Your commitment must be full, and then you will see fruit.

One night I was sitting listening to some Hank Williams songs - and they'll change your life in a hurry.

In a multipolar world, there must be more powers capable of taking responsibility, the US and Europe must be able to unite to achieve peace in the Middle East.

I take the choice out of exercise. It's not an option.

My mom brought me up to be a feminist. She would always point out to my brother and me that our culture does often portray women like objects...

As early as when I was five or six I wanted to perform.

I don't think anything is as magical as a fairy tale experience by a child.

You have to be careful as a libertarian because you can sound very Republican.

Bakers bake bread, accountants manage accounts and entrepreneurs turn ideas into reality.

You have to have a serious streak in you, or you can't see the funny side of the other fellow.