Harrison Birtwistle Quotes

People say my music is English. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's not me writing English music, but that English music is becoming more like me.

Harrison Birtwistle

• People
• Music
• Writing

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.

Harrison Birtwistle

• You
• Change
• Ideas

In the end it doesn't matter what you do.

Harrison Birtwistle

• You
• End
• Matter

I always write the pieces I want to write.

Harrison Birtwistle

• Want
• Always
• Write

Composing's not voluntary, you know. There's no choice, you're not free. You're landed with an idea and you have responsibility to that idea.

Harrison Birtwistle

• Free
• Responsibility