My own goals center around writing the best music that I can, and only I can determine whether or not I've succeeded in accomplishing that.

- Michael Hersch

The work of Liszt I most admire is the music he wrote toward the end of his life. This is often music of tremendous inventiveness. The music seems to…

- Michael Hersch

While I believe there is certainly a phenomenon of timelessness in art, the people writing today can comment on today in an exclusive manner.

- Michael Hersch

If somebody responds positively to what I'm doing - if there is a connection - that can be very meaningful. If someone reacts with displeasure, confu…

- Michael Hersch

If people want insights, if they want to swim in the currents of their own time and share the experiences of their time, then it makes sense to engag…

- Michael Hersch

I don't think performance out of duty yields very much. Coercion is never the way to go.

- Michael Hersch

I do believe young people should be obligated to try different types of music - that is what education is. But once you're in a situation as an adult…

- Michael Hersch

Part of what makes music so interesting is the lack of consensus on just about any given topic.

- Michael Hersch

There are times I'm completely uncomfortable with my works being performed publicly, and I haven't attended certain concerts because the prospect is …

- Michael Hersch