Beethoven suppressed everything, his personal life disappeared until he was locked inside. That is a figure quite extreme.

My true function within a society which embraces all of us is to continue an age-old tradition. This tradition is to create images from the depths of the imagination and to give them form, whether visual, intellectual or musical.

Nature has different times.

I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being.

Music is a performing art, as any Native American will tell you. It isn't there in the score.

The Greek sculptor - I don't think he was very different from any of us.

I remain a humanist. We are a very curious race.