America tends to worship the modest talent because it doesn't put us in an uncomfortable position vis-a-vis the artist.
When I've seen my operas in Europe, they have always struck me as more American than when I hear them here. I can't tell you what that phenomenon is.
If I felt that one of my operas did not come off I would certainly say so.
Most of the important composers in our country are clustered in the Northeast.
I was encouraged by my mother and, to a lesser extent, by my father.
I've never set out consciously to write American music. I don't know what that would be unless the obvious Appalachian folk references.