What can be considered human emotions? Surely not only lyricism, sadness, tragedy? Doesn't laughter also have a claim to that lofty title? I want to fight for the legitimate right of laughter in 'serious' music.

There can be no music without ideology. The old composers, whether they knew it or not, were upholding a political theory. Most of them, of course, were bolste…

If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth.

I live in the USSR, work actively and count naturally on the worker and peasant spectator. If I am not comprehensible to them I should be deported.

Comedy is the blues for people who can't sing.

This music is forever for me. It's the stage thing, that rush moment that you live for. It never lasts, but that's what you live for.

The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own.