I think anything that is expressed directly and as honestly as possible will last.

The story of Willie Stark fascinated me because it was tackling the story of a man who outwardly has all the success one could possibly want and who is destroyed by his personal demons.

I've never set out consciously to write American music. I don't know what that would be unless the obvious Appalachian folk references.

Anyone who creates something new or does something different artistically is going to be singled out.

You can't possibly predict what will last or not. But once you attempt to write for the ages, you're doomed.

It's amazing how fast generations lose sight of other generations. One of the first things the young composers who come to work with me say is that they want to write music people will like, instead of gaining their credentials by being rejected by the audience.

I was trying to do something that seemed very natural and easy but which bridged that gulf between the singing voice and the speaking voice.