Composer

You could almost write an opera about the selection of music directors for orchestras. The intrigues are really interesting, and then, at the end, the results are completely unexpected.

It's so important which musicians we choose for being in the orchestra.

I'm thankful to Deutsche Grammophon, our partners - we are going to record the complete Shostakovich symphonies and hopefully some other things as well.

I simply love Wagner's music. That actually started very early. He was the first composer I was exposed very much to because my parents introduced me to Wagner's music very early.

I can't say I'd like to concentrate on one particular composer. I'm looking forward to doing a variety.

The excitement you can get in classical concert is as big, in a different sense, as you can get when you go to the ice hockey or baseball game.

You have a great result if the orchestra trusts the conductor, and the conductor trusts the orchestra.

Conducting is about communication. You don't play any notes, but you communicate with the musicians.

The Boston Symphony is one of the best orchestras in the world and has such a great tradition - which I want to cherish, of course, and to learn from and to continue and to add whatever I can add.

I'm very proud of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Birmingham did a truly remarkable thing in building Symphony Hall, which is the finest concert hall in the U.K. and one of the best in the world. The city has supported music without putting on the brakes.

Through conducting, you express through your arms, through your face and even the body, what you want to tell, so the musicians of the orchestra understand.

AWe musicians can influence, and are responsible to influence, human hearts when we perform. We have to touch them.

It's a dream to be its conductor. Sometimes I think, 'My God, I can't believe it.' It's a dream which came true.

When you have a great car, you want people to see the car.

On stage, I'm always nervous, but there is so much adrenalin, too. It's strange because I have to turn my back on the audience, and my audience is the orchestra. I communicate my energy to them, and they communicate it to the audience behind me!

The music of Bach is so timeless, so fulfilling. You don't feel like you have to be in front of it. The music has everything, and you are there to find the balance when you conduct. You don't have to give too much of your individuality. It's Bach, so it's dangerous to get in the way.

I really think that the music is the food for our souls.

I think that, as a person, Beethoven talks to everyone in different ways.

For one person, Haydn is most exciting. Or Bach is the most exciting. For another, it's Carter or Strauss. For me - and for any musician - all of the music is exciting. And if you don't approach it with excitement, we can't be musicians.