Nobody seems to think it's a good idea to mention mistakes, but I think it's important to acknowledge the mistakes you've made in life, because it's really through those that you learn things. I've made hundreds.

As a composer at a point where I can absolutely pick and choose what I want to do, I don't want to write about anybody I don't care about.

I think it's probably, musically, probably the most sophisticated. ("The Woman in White") There's a lot more daring harmony in it than in some of my pieces... If you know what you want to do, as I always loved musicals, and then to have been lucky enough to be successful with them, I think that's all you can ask, isn't it?... Sondheim is absolutely wonderful and Alan Jay Lerner was wonderful.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor.Grasp it; sense it - tremulous and tender.Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light - and listen to the music of the night !

Superstar was made so early in my career I had nothing to do with it at all. The first time I saw it was the opening screening.

We don't have butlers. Obviously we have people who look after the houses, but I try not to run things formally.

It doesn't stand up to huge intellectual scrutiny.