One very important aspect of our contemporary musical culture - some might say the supremely important aspect - is its extension in the historical and geographical senses to a degree unknown in the past.

I pick up the New York Times or Time and it's talking about the latest rock group, which I'm sure is exciting to some people, but it neglects a huge area of music.

I believe that music surpasses even language in its power to mirror the innermost recesses of the human soul

I am optimistic about the future of music.

One very important aspect of our contemporary musical culture - some might say the supremely important aspect - is its extension in the historical and geographical senses to a degree unknown in the past.

It is easy to write unthinking music.

This is not a happy time for this kind of music in this country.