Quotes from Harrison Birtwistle

My attitude to writing is like when you do wallpapering, you remember where all the little bits are that don't meet. And then your friends say: It's terrific!

There are rhythmic ideas which sometimes only work up to a point. In writing there are moments when it just comes off the page, it's not just a collection of notes.

I don't have ideas so much as there are things which constantly evolve... there are various threads or layers, if you like, which change.

My operas usually come from musical ideas rather than ideas about subject matter.

I don't think there is much American music.