The first thing that struck me about contemporary music in general had been thatthere was not much interest in rhythm.

Well when I was young, when I was very young, when I was a little boy I don't remember the music I heard, but there was an article in the Brooklyn Daily written by my Aunt about how I could choose phonograph records.

Why write for the orchestra? For one thing it's a very challenging problem.

Yes, I get a report from BMI about the frequency of performances, and it is very surprising. They played one of my most advanced pieces, and one of my most unusual ones on the radio.

The Quartets have been a major part of my work.

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.

The first thing that struck me about contemporary music in general had been thatthere was not much interest in rhythm.