I don't really think about retiring. I will retire just before people start saying, 'I knew Leonard Slatkin when he conducted well.

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.

An orchestra knows during the first two minutes of the first rehearsal whether or not they are going to enjoy the person on the podium.

I've come to the conclusion that a long personal relationship is next to impossible for me. Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress.

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.

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.

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