When I dealt with set theory, I could never make it be the music that I wanted.

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.

Any self-defense class worth its salt will tell you thatyou don’t pull out a weapon unless you intend to use it.The same should apply to ballsy remarks.

Don't hold onto things, it will only bring you pain.

Your problems are not just your problems. Ultimately, they belong to the church body that God has placed you in.

You haven't been soiling your soul in public for years like we have.

I was a gymnast for many years before I was a dancer, so it comes in pretty handy when I do stunts.

Human Beings are the only animals that blush, or need to.

I think one can achieve a very pleasant lifestyle by treating human beings, fellow human beings, very well.

We have to treat others as part of who we are, rather than as a 'them' with whom we are in constant competition.

Nuclear power is not a miracle key for the future.