I don't care what other critics say, I only hope to be played.

I listened to the pure crystalline notes of one of Mozart's concertos dropping at my feet like leaves from the trees.

I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can.

I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good.

Verbal communication about music is impossible except among musicians.

The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish.

Musicians own music because music owns them.