When you play Mozart, it's so clean, it's so simple. It's the body naked.

With an orchestra you are building citizens, better citizens for the community.

The challenge is not so much to change the sound. The challenge is to connect and to create something special.

For me, Venezuela is very important, not just because it's a place I go to conduct, but because my family is there - my wife, my parents and my musical family.

I have eaten very well in Los Angeles. Marvelously!

My relationship with the Philharmonia Orchestra brought me many times to London and I will always reflect positively on that early period of development with them - their patience, their warmth, their dedication.

You learn a lot about each other from a tour, musically and humanly.