Now there is no taboo; everything is allowed. But one cannot simply go back to tonality, it’s not the way. We must find a way of neither going back nor continuing the avant-garde. I am in a prison: one wall is the avant-garde, the other wall is the past, and I want to escape.

In January 1944 I was called up by the Forced Labor Service, but I deserted on October 10, 1944.

It isn't false modesty when I say this, but although I am supposed to be a famous person it doesn't mean anything to me. I just sit at home and work.

I listen to all kinds of music - new music, old music, music of my colleagues, everything.

There is a wonderful Hungarian literature, especially in lyric poetry.

I continued to study Math and Physics on my own, but one and a half years later I realized that I did want to be a composer, and after that I never changed my mind.

I like to stay home and listen to recordings.