Every composer understands and uses the system of notation differently, and that's what makes you appreciate the trouble they go through in doing so.

My father ran the gamut: a favorite of his was Josef Hofmann, but there was also Friedman, Rachmaninoff, Godowsky, Lhevinne, Moiseiwitsch, Paderewski, etc.

To be perfectly honest, I was never really aware that I had any special abilities. When you have what you have, you don't really think about what you don't have; you simply work with what you have.

Very rarely do I work on mechanics now. I tend to solve problems within the music itself.

As far as the style, I can't say there is one definite style. I probably feel most comfortable writing in a tonal idiom, with considerable, if not extreme chromaticism.

I don't listen to recordings very much now, to be perfectly honest. I listened to them a lot when I was younger.

I miss more loving someone so deeply that I can't imagine a forever without her kisses.

Don't you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can't be exactly who you are.

With a polite smile, I decided she was insane.

Tyranny destroys or strengthens the individual; freedom enervates him, until he becomes no more than a puppet. Man has more chances of saving himself by hell than by paradise.

You shouldn't use anything as the sole source for anything, in my view.

By crying on my bed, drinking quite a lot and feeling tempted by drugs. Well, just not reading it to be perfectly honest with you. I know it's a bit of a copout.

I think it's necessary to let kids get bored once in a while-that's house they learn to be creative.

One can acquire some virtues by feigning them for a long time.

I'm no expert, Rock, but I don't think I have any poontang...to give you.

Never let an impossible situation intimidate you. Let it motivate you - to pray more, trust more, expect more.