How could a New Yorker possibly take something called the Hollywood String Quartet seriously?

There's not an orchestra in the world that doesn't have weaknesses. None of us can play everything well. The repertoire is just too big.

On the corner of 57th and 7th Avenue sits the most famous concert hall in the world. No less a figure than when Tchaikovsky led the first performances in 1891. Virtually every major artist has performed there. There is simply no place like it. The first time I stepped foot in Carnegie Hall was in 1964.

The role of an orchestra in the 21st century isn't just playing, it's about developing future audiences and performers.

I knew I could never match my father as a violinist, and there were already four generations of outstanding cellists in the family.

My first strong musical memory is of the Villa-Lobos Sixth Quartet which my parents were rehearsing. I remember that it reminded me of big teddy bears dancing around.

A music director cannot and should not be chosen on the basis of a first date. It is not so difficult to make a good impression with a single appearance, usually containing some of a conductor's party pieces, works they have performed successfully many times before.