Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent

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.

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt read more

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt like de Kooning, who was asked to comment on a certain abstract painting, and answered in the negative. He was then told it was the work of a celebrated monkey. 'That's different. For a monkey, it's terrific.'

May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine.

May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine.

Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory.

Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory.

Who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once.

Who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once.

You know I want to sing for people, I want to jazz people up I want to make new music read more

You know I want to sing for people, I want to jazz people up I want to make new music that they've never heard.

Giving jazz the Congressional seal of approval is a little like making Huck Finn an honorary Boy Scout.

Giving jazz the Congressional seal of approval is a little like making Huck Finn an honorary Boy Scout.

The musician who always plays on the same string is laughed at.

The musician who always plays on the same string is laughed at.