Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle.

It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness and of pain: read more

It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness and of pain: of strength and freedom. The beauty of disappointment and never-satisfied love. The cruel beauty of nature, and everlasting beauty of monotony.

There's a lot of music that sounds like it's literally computer-generated, totally divorced from a guy sitting down at an read more

There's a lot of music that sounds like it's literally computer-generated, totally divorced from a guy sitting down at an instrument.

Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth.

Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth.

The songs are inspired by my experiences. Sometimes they are more than my real-life and, conversely, my life is more read more

The songs are inspired by my experiences. Sometimes they are more than my real-life and, conversely, my life is more than just my songs.

Never look at the trombones. You'll only encourage them.

Never look at the trombones. You'll only encourage them.

I've always felt rock and roll was very, very wholesome music.

I've always felt rock and roll was very, very wholesome music.

Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist.

Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist.

When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to read more

When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to retain his amateur status. It is the thought of just such a listener that excites the composer in me.