The Third Quartet I made the instruments in pairs - Two different pairs - Violin and viola, and violin and cello. They played very different things from each other all through the whole piece.

My entire life has really revolved around music that was written about the time that I was born, 1908, to just before the First World War and shortly after it. This music I've always known, and it is that music that's most important to me.

My musical life started with hearing and being fascinated by contemporary music.

When I was in Paris, all of the German refugees began to flow in and it was a very sad time.

Almost every one of my various zero numbered birthdays has had a big concert in London and often in Paris.

Since I'm allergic to various things, the army wouldn't accept me during the war, and I got into the Office of War Information, which sent music to Europe.

The Quartets have been a major part of my work.