I can almost always write music; at any hour of the twenty-four, if I put pencil to paper, music comes.

I always write in pencil, so I can erase.

Anybody can write music of a sort. But touching the public heart is quite another thing.

I am happy now, to recall that I was not only his son but his companion, and whenever there was a hunting expedition or any other pleasure, I was always with him.

From childhood I was passionately fond of music and wanted to be a musician. I have no recollection of any real desire ever to be anything else.

I firmly believe that we have more latent musical talent in America than there is in any other country. But to dig it out there must be good music throughout the land, a lot of it. Everyone must hear it, and such a process takes time.