We musicians, like everyone else, are numb with sorrow at this murder, and with rage at the senselessness of the crime. But this sorrow and rage will not inflame us to seek retribution; rather they will inflame our art. Our music will never again be quite the same. This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before. And with each note we will honor the spirit of John Kennedy, commemorate his courage, and reaffirm his faith in the Triumph of the Mind.

When I am with composers, I say I am a conductor. When I am with conductors, I say I am a composer.

Stillness is our most intense mode of action. It is in our moments of deep quiet that is born every idea, emotion, and drive which we eventually honor with the name of action. We reach highest in meditation, and farthest in prayer. In stillness every human being is great.

To be a success as a Broadway composer, you must be Jewish or gay. I'm both.

It is hard to think of another composer who so perfectly marries form and passion.

To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.

I'm not interested in having an orchestra sound like itself. I want it to sound like the composer.