Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and not a dead pavane for a princess!

I begin by considering an effect.

The only love affair I have ever had was with music.

Why become a second-rate Ravel when you're already a first-rate Gershwin?

I did my work slowly, drop by drop. I tore it out of me by pieces.

You might lose your spontaneity and, instead of composing first-rate Gershwin, end up with second rate Ravel.

If he'd been making shell-cases during the war it might have been better for music.