I actually don't like this term, "classic." It's wrong, but we don't have a better word at the moment.

Once you get over the first hill, there is always a new, higher one lurking, of course.

There will have to be times when I'm not conducting because I'm composing. I haven't solved that problem, and perhaps I never will.

Orchestras have become used to the emphasis on the separation of layers, of the ultimate precision and clarity.

As we watch TV or films, there are no organic transitions, only edits. The idea of A becoming B, rather than A jumping to B, has become foreign.

The act of conducting in itself, of waving my arms in the air and being in charge, I didn't miss. I missed the sensual pleasure of being in contact with music.

My music wouldn't sound the way it does if I hadn't had the experience of conducting.

Pulse as an active means of expression, Stravinsky and Beethoven are the two masters of that.

This conducting thing happened. In 1983 I was sucked into this international career, which was a very scary experience.

I discovered that the people of the North are different and there's no way you can make a person from the North similar to a Southerner. They're two different worlds.

I feel very free and very happy to be a composer.

The best thought any writer ever come up with is of having a world with Dragons.

I’m not going to answer that because it’s ridiculous. I love you, Lainey. I've loved you from the day I met you, if not before, and I've loved you every day since. How could you even doubt that?

This is my future and I will take personal responsibility for making sure all competition requirements are met.

You can't get wet from the word 'water.'

Society just has a way of inhibiting you, which is good and bad.

Everyone knows, or has strongly suspected, that capital theory is difficult.

I'm such a baby if I even get a flu.

First, believe in the world - that there is meaning behind everything.

Be great in act, as you have been in thought.

In struggling with misfortunes lies the true proof of virtue.