At this time of year, I find that I'm more attuned to sounds. And it was in this receptive mood that I went to hear and interview the American composer Steve Reich.

There's a little game I play whenever the world seems hopelessly overrun by bullies and blockheads, incompetents and malcontents. I create an imaginary dinner party.

Every time someone with lots of money gives it away and gets a lot of attention as a result, I want you to stop what you're doing. Stand up. And bow. Because you made their largess possible.

Has -- as Moses Znaimer put it -- "the era of male dominance come to an end"? Do women -- and girls -- rule? Is this a good thing?