I think doing variations on a classical theme is a dangerous thing to do.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
So writing a song is much harder than doing a classical piece for me, because in a classical piece, I can just let the mood dictate what's going to happen.
When I'm in the classical world, I really treat it as exactly classical and I don't try and spruce it up or jazz it up or make it easier for the masses.
I don't have a classical-music mentality. I haven't been taught that way, and it doesn't fit my character, either.
I'm a fan of many different styles of classical and symphonic music.
I don't think you can replaces great themes. But I think people do want to hear fresh arrangements of them. They don't want to hear them played the same way all the time.
When I write I'm never really thinking about themes or the universal.
Classical music is something that we're very passionate about, but we always thought it was presented in a stuffy way.
I am not doing something that it is experimental music in relation to classical music.
Yes, I tried to change the classical style in a way that people who don't understand it can enjoy.
As the director of an opera, it is my responsibility to unify the style of the particular performance, but one can certainly approach the piece from different points of view. That's what makes it interesting and keeps it alive.