It's a 360-degree sound experience. Like you're in the middle of the band. A lot of people have the technology to play the format so why not put it out there. It sounds great.

It would appear that we have reached the limits of what it is possible to achieve with computer technology although one should be careful with such statements as they tend to sound pretty silly in 5 years.

Both my grandmothers had upright pianos and I just knew how to play since I was a child. Nobody taught me. I sounded like a grown-up and then I learned how to read music. I played so well by ear I could fool the teacher to believe I could play the notes. She'd make the mistake of playing the song once and I could play it.

When my opera Plump Jack was performed in 1989 my first piano teacher sent me something that I'd composed when I was four. I remember I played it and it still sounded like me. I'm the same composer I was then.

I guess by taking lessons early on and really trying to play all the rudimentary stuff and try to have it sound as good as my teacher. It took a lot of practice which I enjoyed and still do.

For the longest time you just sound like a broken record but you have to be consistent when teaching kids.

The more defects a man may have the older he is the less lovable the more resounding his success.

When I prayed for success I forgot to ask for sound sleep and good digestion.

I left because I could no longer make records that sounded less and less like me. I tried to please people instead of believing in my own strength until the only thing I could do was walk away.

Although housing sales and starts have cooled to more typical levels the housing market remains strong and sound. Without the expansion of homeownership and the strength of our housing market our nation would not have the economic growth we are experiencing today.