In January 1944 I was called up by the Forced Labor Service, but I deserted on October 10, 1944.

If you come from Paris to Budapest you think you are in Moscow.

I was fifteen years old, and I hardly knew how to play a simple Bach prelude on the piano when I began to compose music, and at the most advanced level. I had never studied such things as harmony.

I don't use old music.

I listen to all kinds of music - new music, old music, music of my colleagues, everything.

There is a wonderful Hungarian literature, especially in lyric poetry.