Mediocrity borrows, genius steals.

Good composers don't borrow, they steal

The further one separates himself from the precepts of the Christian Church, the further one distances himself from the truth. Only God can create. I make music from music.

Art postulates communion, and the artist has an imperative need to make others share the joy which he experiences himself.

I was...attacked for being a pasticheur, chided for composing "simple" music, blamed for deserting "modernism," accused of renouncing my "true Russian heritage." People who had never heard of, or cared about, the originals cried "sacrilege": "The classics are ours. Leave the classics alone." To them all my answer was and is the same: You "respect," but I love.

To be deprived of art and left alone with philosophy is to be close to Hell.

All you have to do is close your eyes and wait for the symbols.