In the end it doesn't matter what you do.

I think music has gone through a period of something very severe, rather radical, rather the way painting did with cubism.

I didn't have a record player.

I don't have ideas so much as there are things which constantly evolve... there are various threads or layers, if you like, which change.

When I was confronted with official tuition, the academic thing, I could see no relationship whatever between that and the music I'd been writing since I was 11.

The opera tells the story with all the built-in contradictions and from many different angles.

The theatre only knows what it's doing next week, not like the opera, where they say: 'What are we going to do in five years' time?' A completely different attitude.

Music is such a problem in the time it takes.

People say my music is English. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's not me writing English music, but that English music is becoming more like me.

Minimalism now is a reaction to what came before. It's absolutely of its time. Music moved into the set theory thing, and moved out of it.

The thing about influence is that any composer worth anything will give you the same names.

Most of all, differences of opinion are opportunities for learning.

Let all things be loved for the sake of Jesus, but Jesus for His own sake.

I love bikes. I used to own one, but I fell off it when I was younger and that was the end of my bike riding days until now.

I may not be perfect but I am perfect enough to be a very good rendition of me.

To be one of the special ones, you've got to want to take that shot-you've also got to be willing to fail, learn from it, come back and take that shot again.

Content precedes design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it's decoration.

The moment of twilight is simply beautiful.

Don’t try to be anything but yourself, and find success as yourself. Otherwise, you won’t be happy.

If, by chance, you find that you are losing hope, tap back into those who inspire you.

Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine. Ages pass, and still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.