Even today, I notice that some of my pieces are explicitly tonal; there are actually tonics and dominants. And then there are pieces that are not tonal. I tend to think that there's a dichotomy that has to do with the way pitches are structured.

When you have performers, there's the uniqueness of live performance and what performers do in concerts.

With repeated listenings, a piece eventually becomes its own being. I very often say to students that this is like meeting a person for the first time. When you first meet someone, you reference that person with others who are similar; but, as you get to know that person better, you begin to understand his unique qualities.

If the music has a logic of its own - as I think my music has - an open-minded listener will apprehend and understand.

It's always a thrill for me to see new versions of my pieces on YouTube.

I didn't want my music to be seen as examples of an electronic culture; I just wanted them to be thought of as pieces of music.

I don't think there's something that you have to 'get' with my music. It tends toward the dramatic side rather than the narrative.