Michael Tilson Thomas Quotes

Is it true that we must accept the music of another race as being that which is American? Have not the white Americans sufficient individuality to develop a characteristic style of composition.

I wanna show that gospel, country, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll are all just really one thing. Those are the American music and that is the American culture.

I've been marching in every single ethnic nationality parade all throughout the City of New York. We're all Americans first and foremost, but people understand their heritage and it's good to see.

I think that a song, when it works, never mind a piece of long form music, even a song is something that speaks to itself but has a language all of its own, ideally.

The other aspect of American identity worth focusing on is the concept of America as a nation of immigrants. That certainly is a partial truth. But it is often assumed to be the total truth.

Undeniably the American art form, too. And yet more and more, we see films made that diminish the American experience and example. And sometimes trash it completely.

American art, like America, must wait and live a while longer.

I'm as American as apple pie.

I wanted to think about our creation myth; you know, what is the fundamental story that defines America. And it certainly is the West.

I want to make music that somehow connects to the things that I love in America music.

Nationality is a very curious thing. The blood is Scots and the temperament is Scots, but I am, in fact, 100% American.

American movies and music deliver themes of freedom, innocence, and power that appeal to others - partly because America itself was put together out of a multiplicity of national traditions.

In a sense I've made the same film over and over again. In all of them I've asked, 'Who are we as Americans?

I'm not suggesting our music is the only music, but I am suggesting that there are certain elements in America's culture that are so precious that it would be a shame for them to go down the drain.

Certainly, jazz has become more of a niche, which is surprising, because it's our music. It's the national music of America.

I'm English, and I started off as a songwriter, so I can't really escape that - it's there.

From chain gangs to folk songs to intelligent soul, America has created musicians dedicated to truth, justice, and a better American Way.

England as a culture has endured so much more than America has as a culture, so it's given them a different perspective.

A nation that has no music and no fairytales is a tragedy.

The American landscape has no foreground and the American mind no background.

The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.

Each generation of Americans must define what it means to be an American.

We are all Americans, sir.

All colors and blends of Americans have somewhat the same tendencies. It's a breed — selected out by accident. And so we're overbrave and overfearful — we're kind and cruel as children. We're overfriendly and at the same time frightened of strangers. We boast and are impressed. We're oversentimental and realistic. We are mundane and materialistic — and do you know of any other nation that acts for ideals?

I guess, for better or for worse, I am an American composer, and I've had a wonderful life being exactly that.