Glenn Branca Quotes

"I wrote a choral piece called Gates of Heaven six years ago, which was only the chorus, and actually I didn't like the sound of just the chorus. I realised I really did want to have instruments there. Recently, about a year and a half ago I wrote an opera, which I think of mainly as a choral opera. I loved the sound of the chorus, I like that kind of resonance. I don't really like highly articulated solo voice, the traditional operatic voice. I like a more church-like quality".
Glenn Branca

"It can and will be a more powerful sound but the orchestra has far more potential for expressive power. When I hear a great rock band it can make me feel alive, but when I hear a great orchestra it can make me feel human."
Glenn Branca

"It's more difficult with the guitars because I just don't have as large a palette to work with. I don't have so many timbral qualities, I don't have enough transparency. For #10's two movements, I had to completely change the way I was thinking. I had written two major pieces for orchestra, and now I had to switch back to the guitars again, but I still wanted to work with the same ideas. I had to completely alter my mind-set.
Glenn Branca