All these tales of people sitting down and composing symphonies just as though they were writing a letter are very much exaggerated; at least, it isn't that way in my work.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I don't see myself necessarily having a burning desire to write a symphony.
My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but written them down... Sometimes I am so full of music, and so overflowing with melody, that I find it simply impossible to write down anything.
I hear entire symphonies, oratorios, in my head, but I can't write a note.
I think that of my 21 symphonies, each has its own place.
Writing a play, you start with less, so more is demanded of you. It's as if you have to not only write a symphony, but invent the instruments as well.
I believe so deeply in the primacy of language, in lifting your prose to the highest level you're capable of and making your words symphonic.
I have written symphonic poems and chamber music. It is my way of personal expression.
Why write for the orchestra? For one thing it's a very challenging problem.
This is what I want in heaven... words to become notes and conversations to be symphonies.
I've always wanted to make music like people write plays, so I was inspired by writers as much as musicians.
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