One of the most important elements in teaching, conducting, and performing, all three, is listening.

That makes classical music work, the ability to improvise.

Child prodigy is a curse because you've got all those terrible possibilities.

Believe me, I've had interviews where the person says, "So when did you start and why? What about your parents?" I say to them, "Please, have you heard of the word Google?"

I can't walk very well, but I'm not onstage to do walking. I'm on the stage to play.

There are people who are uncanny, who are finished products at a young age. I wasn't, thank God.

Everybody has a different kind of talent and a different timetable as to when they develop.