It's not a special taste. An American composer should have something to say to a cab driver.

That is basically me, and although I have done many things in my life - conducting, playing piano, and so on - what is fundamental is my being a composer.

I’ve always felt that music should be a normal part of the experience that surrounds people.

That’s the trouble with memories: everything seems much more fantastical with a childhood lens to filter out the limitations of reality.

I have been hurt so bad but I still love so hard, I admire my heart for that.

One can with but moderate possessions do what one ought.

If for some reason you are unsure where to go, all you have to do is stand there looking lost, and within seconds a helpful New Yorker will approach to see if you have any "spare" change.

I've been in beautiful landscapes where one is tempted to whip out a camera and take a picture. I've learned to resist that.

God give us men. The time demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and willing hands.

My goal is to be at the top of my game every night.

Sometimes God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past so it doesn't become their future.

Slight was the thing I bought, small was the debt I thought, Poor was the loan at best - God! but the interest!

There are millions of young children being educated to a very narrow-minded view of religion. And it's out of that education of large numbers of young people that you then get this extremism.