I don't even have a cell phone. I don't know how they work. Votes: 14
People who don't do jazz think it's black magic. But really, it's just a matter of getting used to it. It's fun to gamble. The trick is not to fall back on the things you've done before. Votes: 13
When I composed, I heard my music played by the orchestra within days of completion of the score. No master at a conservatory, no matter how revered, can teach as much by verbal criticism as can a cold and analytical hearing of one's own music being played. Votes: 12
I admire Elliott Carter endlessly. But I have no ambitions to emulate him. Votes: 9
I found that jazz musicians, possibly more than their classical counterparts, wear long-standing friendships easily and gracefully. Votes: 7
A Beethoven symphony should be rehearsed like chamber music, only for a lot more people. Votes: 6
The basic difference between classical music and jazz is that in the former the music is always graver than its performance - whereas the way jazz is performed is always more important than what is being played. Votes: 6
John Williams is, without question, talented. He writes very good scores and very good melodies and all that. Votes: 5
I finally wasn't interested in writing music that played while actors talked. Votes: 5
I've had the healthy and sobering experience of constantly working with music that is invariably better than any performance of it can be. Votes: 4
I have a great many shortcomings, but writing for something on time has never bothered me. Votes: 3
You can chase a Beethoven symphony all your life and never catch up. Votes: 3
If you're going to do good work, the work has to scare you. Votes: 3
I'm on very good terms with all my former wives. Votes: 2
There are a million things in music I know nothing about. I just want to narrow down that figure. Votes: 0