I always had, deep down, a slight aversion toward the purely cerebral in music.

If I were in a position to announce a public competition to coin a new word, I would do so right now.

The Royal Festival Hall in London is nice; people hang out there. I think this inviting, non-exclusive character is very important.

The music I turn out these days is the kind of music I want to hear myself.

I like this idea of identification with the local team. I think it's great. That's what an orchestra should be. It's an orchestra for its hometown, and it serves the people.

There is more openness in LA to possibilities than on the East Coast of America. There is a pioneering spirit there that stems from the reason people went out there in the first place-to find something new.

The philharmonic became such a journey and adventure in my life, and a deeply satisfying thing.