The sound of the sea, the curve of a horizon, wind in leaves, the cry of a bird leave manifold impression in us. And suddenly, without our wishing it at all, one of these memories spills from us and finds expression in musical language...I want to sing my interior landscape with the simple artlessness of a child.

Beauty must appeal to the senses, must provide us with immediate enjoyment, must impress us or insinuate itself into us without any effort on our part.

Do not allow the accents in the brass to produce space between the notes.

On those who overanalyze his music: When you tear the wings off a butterfly, it is no longer a butterfly

People don't very much like things that are beautiful - they are so far from their nasty little minds.

There is no theory. You merely have to listen. Pleasure is the law.

Extreme complication is contrary to art.