All great composers of the past spent most of their time studying. Feeling alone won't do the job. A man also needs technique.

My people are Americans. My time is today.

Not many composers have ideas. Far more of them know how to use strange instruments which do not require ideas.

I frequently hear music in the heart of noise.

A skyscraper is at the same time a triumph of the machine and a tremendous emotional experience, almost breath-taking. Not merely its height but its mass and proportions are the result of an emotion, as well as of calculation.

The composer does not sit around and wait for an inspiration to walk up and introduce itself...Making music is actually little else than a matter of invention aided and abetted by emotion. In composing we combine what we know of music with what we feel.

Life is a lot like jazz. It's best when you improvise.