I liked rock music going back to the '60s, but I never ever had any desire to be a rock musician and when I started doing a band it was experimental music.

It's crucial that people are on the right measure at the right time.

It can and will be a more powerful sound but the orchestra has far more potential for expressive power. When I hear a great rock band it can make me feel alive, but when I hear a great orchestra it can make me feel human.

Whatever works for the piece I'm thinking about is the way I write.

I think of myself of a primitivist. I have never had any of these electronic instruments and I have never had the slightest interest in using them. I use the computer as a tool, simply because it makes composing a lot faster. But I don't go on stage with a computer and make a lot of goofy sounds.

One hundred guitarists making lots of noise would not be something you'd want to listen to.

I started out in theatre and I definitely have wanted to add extra musical elements to my music with both imagery and text.