“. . . I write novels . . . because I can’t sing, play an instrument, or compose sonatas . . . Writing, even great writing, is inevitably to some degree a local concern, in a way that music simply isn’t.”
—Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours
By the way, Mr. Cunningham has acknowledged that one composer whose work never ceases to bring him inspiration is Philip Glass. In the “minimalistic” style of Philip Glass, importance is found in the subtle metamorphosis of small and repetitive motives or ideas, and Cunningham has likened this simplicity in music to his style of writing, for which beauty is found in the everyday, casual happenings of normal people. We are, after all, creatures who run through our days with reliable repetition, and there is peace and beauty to be found in that.
