I write [music] as a sow piddles.

I never lie down at night without reflecting that, young as I am, I may not live to see another day.

Directly after God in heaven comes a Papa.

As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence . . .

Love guards the heart from the abyss.

To win applause one must write stuff so simple that a coachman might sing it.

Creativity is the firing of my soul.